Although Finnish architect and furniture maker Alvar Aalto (1898–1976) was recognized early in his career for his decorative interiors and innovative building concepts, his functional wood furniture reflected a simplicity that extended even to his marketing copy. “One chair is enough” is one such slogan attributed to him today.
While the renowned designs he produced with his first wife Aino for a tuberculosis sanatorium in Paimio included tubular steel, Aalto eventually distanced himself from the material, differing from peers such as Marcel Breuer in that he favored working with organic materials, having deemed wood “form-inspiring” and “deeply human.” The stackable Stool 60, made of cost-effective solid birch and birch plywood, is emblematic of that approach.
In the mid- to late-1920s, with the support of fellow woodworker Otto Korhonen at a furniture factory in Turku, Finland — a densely forested country where birch trees and lumber suppliers are plentiful — Aalto developed the “bent-knee” technique for making furniture. It involves a solid piece of birch soaked and softened in water and then sawed open in the direction of the wood grain. Afterward, thin slats of wood are glued into the grooves, and the wood is heated so that it becomes malleable.
The bent-knee process, which has changed little since its inception, yielded the “L-leg” that Aalto initially had in mind for his Stool 60. Three L-legs were mounted to the underside of the flat, circular plywood seat of the Stool 60 in the Turku factory, but Aalto’s innovation had applications for tables and a lot more. The furniture maker called the L-leg “the little sister of the architectural column.”
When the first prototype of the deceptively simplistic-looking Stool 60 materialized, Aalto and Korhonen tossed the piece across the sprawling factory floor to test its durability. Aalto told all in earshot, “We’ll make thousands of these one day!” It was a fairly modest prediction: Debuting at an exhibition of Finnish design in 1933, the Stool 60 was a revolutionary piece of seating furniture, and it has sold millions.
It is now available with seats in various colors and is part of the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The library for which the stool was first intended won the World Monuments Fund/Knoll Modernism Prize in 2014.
The Stool 60 is currently manufactured by Artek, which the Aaltos helped cofound, and it is one of the company’s most cherished products.
Funky Alvar Aalto Stool Model 60
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Kangasala, FI
Early iconic Alvar Aalto's stool 60 from the 1940's with beautiful and warm patina on the L-legs. Reupholstered with funky and colorful fabric. The color scheme that takes your mind...
Wool, Birch
Alvar Aalto Stool 60
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Miami, FL
Stool 60 designed by Alvar Aalto, strong patina with some chips. Please see picture 3 for accurate color.
Bentwood
$1,104Sale Price|25% Off
Rare Original Yellow Top E60 Stool by Alvar Aalto for Artek. Scandinavian Modern
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Turku, Finland
Rare and collectible E60 stool by Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto, produced by Artek. This iconic piece features the original yellow laminate seat top, a discontinued and ...
Birch
Model 60 Stool, Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
By Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Model 60 stool, design Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Mid-20th Century. Birch frame, rare yellow linoleum seat. Good vintage condition, patina co...
Birch
Alvar Aalto, A Pair of Vintage Stools in Birch, Model "60", Made at Artek, 1970s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Odense, DK
An amazing pair of stools in a lacquered birch. Designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek in Finland. Model "K60". This vintage set is from the 1970s "Alvar Aalto (1898 - 1976), was a Finni...
Birch
Stool Model 60, Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Stool model 60, designed by Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1950s. Birch with red linoleum seat. Good vintage condition, patina and wear consisten...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Model 60 Stackable Stool for Finsven 1940s
By Finsven, Alvar Aalto
Located in San Diego, CA
A vintage Alvar Aalto model 60 birch stool. Birch bentwood legs with Aalto’s signature feathered bentwood leg design. Swedish production Finsven from the late 1940s. Great patina, ...
Birch
Iconic Vintage Aalto Stool By Alvar Aalto, 1930s, Made in Finland
By Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Turku, Finland
Nice vintage example of Alvar Aalto’s iconic Stool 60, produced by Artek. Very early version, made in the 1930s. Dimensions: - Seat Height 44cm / 17.3in - Seat Diameter 35cm / 13.7i...
Birch
$8,000Sale Price|20% Off
alvar & aino aalto 30's glass cabinet 408(506/42) finmar tag
By Alvar Aalto, Aino Aalto
Located in Tomi, Nagano
alvar & aino aalto design glass cabinet. this is most earliest products of aalto furniture. alvar & aino try to sell their furniture in UK as finmar. So this is original condition. ...
Birch
Pair of Model 60 Stools, Alvar Aalto, Artek, 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Pair of model 60 stools, designed by Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Artek, 1960s. Birch frame, red linoleum seat. Good vintage condition, patina and wear consistent with age and use. T...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Stool 60 by Artek in 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek 60 stool, birch with red linoleum. The stool is from the 1950s. Designer Alvar Aalto. Good used condition. The Artek Stool 60, designed by Alvar Aalto in 1933, is one of the m...
Birch
Iconic Alvar Aalto 3-legged Stool Model 60, Birch & Green Paint, Artek 1940s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
An iconic model 60 stool in birch, green paint and a 100% beautiful and unique patina. Designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek in the 1930s, this design has definitely stood the test of t...
Birch
Set of 4 Alvar Aalto Stackable 3 Legged Stools Model 60 in Brich, Artek 1930s
By Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
A set of the iconic model 60 stools designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek. Inspired by the clean lines and organic forms of nature, the Alvar Aalto Model 60 Stool is a timeless piece of ...
Birch
Alvar Aalto 5 Early L-Leg Stools "Model 60" Red Linoleum & Birch, Finland, 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Odense, DK
Set of 5 early L-leg stools by Alvar Aalto in laminated birch and seats with red linoleum. Made in the 1960s at Artek. Alvar Aalto’s Three-legged stool model 60 designed in 1934 is t...
Birch
Pair Of Stools 60 By Alvar Aalto
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Kangasala, FI
Pair of the iconic stool 60 by Alvar Aalto. These stools are from the early 1960's. Other stool has saw mark on the seat. These stools have been restored from previous rather bad p...
Birch
Alvar Aalto's iconic Stool 60, from Artek 1950s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Alvar Aalto's iconic Stool 60, from Artek 1950s, s the epitome of minimalistic furniture, versatile enough to serve as a seat, a table, a storage unit, or even a display surface. Thi...
Birch
Stool model 60, Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1930s
By Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Stool model 60 designed by Alvar Aalto for Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab from the 1930s. Birch. Good vintage condition, patina and wear consistent with age and use. Iconic Al...
Birch
A set of 3 Italian bentwood stools by Alvar Aalto for Armtek, circa 2017
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Houston, TX
A set of 3 Italian bentwood stools by Alvar Aalto for Armtek, circa 2017. The “E60” model is versatile and suitable as a seat, table, storage unit, or display surface. Overall, in go...
Bentwood
Early Alvar Aalto Stool 60
By Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Alvar Aalto
Located in Kiiminki, FI
Early stool 60 with finger joint seat, designed by Alvar Aalto and manufactured by O.Y. Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas A.B in the 1930s. The stool has a later paint and the legs hav...
Birch
Set of 4 Alvar Aalto Stools Model no 60, Marimekko Unikko Textile, Artek 1940s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
A sculptural fusion of form and function, this set of four 1940s Alvar Aalto stools exemplifies the purity of Scandinavian Modern design. With their legs mounted directly beneath the...
Fabric, Birch
Model 60 Stool, Alvar Aalto, Artek, 1950/1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Model 60 Stool, designed by Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Artek, 1950/1960s. Birch with rare wine color vinyl. Good vintage condition, patina and wear consistent with age and use. A...
Birch
$5,182Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Teak Aalto Model 60 Stools, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1940s
By Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Pair of rare model 60 stools, designed by Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1940s. Birch frame with teak top. Good vintage condition, patina consist...
Birch, Teak
Authentic Stool 60 in Lacquered Birch with Laminate Seat by Alvar Aalto & Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Glendale, CA
Authentic Stool 60 in lacquered birch with laminate seat by Alvar Aalto & Artek. In the late 1920s, architect and designer Alvar Aalto began experimenting with bending wood. In col...
Laminate, Birch
Stool Model 60, Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Stool model 60, designed by Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1950s. Birch frame with black linoleum seat. Good vintage condition, patina and wear c...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Stool Model 60 Zebra Upholstery
By Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto
Located in Kangasala, FI
Early iconic Alvar Aalto's stool 60 from the 1940's with beautiful and warm patina on the legs and bottom of the stool. Reupholstered by the traditional method using upholstery tack...
Wool, Birch
Pair of Artek #60 Mid Century Modern Stacking Tables Stools by Alvar Aalto C1950
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of Mid Century Modern birch # 60 stacking stools by Alvar Aalto for Artek C1955. One stool is stamped Aerek on the underside, the other is not. In fairly good unrestore...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Stool 60 From 1940's
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Kangasala, FI
The stool. Alvar Aalto's iconic stool model 60, that defined the functionalism movement of furniture design. This piece is in its original condition from the 1940's. Legs have deli...
Birch
Rare Alvar Aalto 3-legged Stool Model 60 In Birch & Teak, Artek 1950s
By Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
A lovely and rare version of the iconic Alvar Aalto stool for Artek with birch legs and a teak top seat. The model 60 stool is perhaps the most well known Aalto design and has always...
Birch, Teak
Alvar Aalto Sandwich Stool, Reupholstered Art Deco Fabric, Circa 1930s
By Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto
Located in Kangasala, FI
Ultra rare and beautiful colored iconic Alvar Aalto sandwich stool 60. Manufactured by Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1930s. Reupholstered with 100 years old Art Deco fabri...
Fabric, Birch
Alvar Aalto Stool "Sandwich" 1930's
By Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
Located in Kangasala, FI
Ultra rare and beautiful colored iconic Alvar Aalto sandwich stool 60. Manufactured by Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1930s. Reupholstered with one of a kind striped wool f...
Wool, Birch
Early Alvar Aalto 3-legged Stool Model 60 In Birch, Artek 1930s
By Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
A lovely iconic Alvar Aalto stool for Artek in full birch. The model 60 stool is perhaps the most well known Aalto design and has always been attractive to people. As with a lot of A...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Stool 60 Black Linoleum
By Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Kiiminki, FI
Alvar Aalto stool 60 in birch and black linoleum, manufactured by Artek in the 1950s. Very nice vintage condition.
Birch
Model 60 Stool, Alvar Aalto, Artek, 1950/1960s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Model 60 stool, designed by Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Artek, 1950/1960s. Birch frame, blue linoleum seat. Good vintage condition, patina consistent with age and use. Alvar Aalto...
Birch
$1,295
Alvar Aalto Stool 60
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Kiiminki, FI
Alvar Aalto Stool 60 for Artek from the 1950s. Birch with rare green imitation leather seat. Good vintage condition, patina and wear consistent wi...
Leather, Birch
Rare Alvar Aalto Finger Joint Wartime Stool Model 60, Artek, 1940s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
Alvar Aalto war-time stools are extremely sought after collectibles for the simple reason that not many of them are available any more. A war-time stoo...
Wool, Wood
A Pair of Alvar Aalto Stools Model 60, Red Pegamoid Upholstery, Artek 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
These two iconic Alvar Aalto stools from the 1950s are beautiful and space saving furniture pieces of timeless design. The legs are mounted directly to the underside of the round sea...
Birch
$2,200 / set
Alvar Aalto, Stools, Birch, Finland, 1950s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of red-laminated birch stools designed by Alvar Aalto and produced by Artek, Finland, c. 1950s. Seat height is 17.5"
Birch
Early Finnish Mid Century Wooden Tripod Stool 60 in Birch by Alvar Aalto, 1940s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare and early iconic Finnish mid century wooden stool "model 60" in bent birch designed by Alvar Aalto and produced by Artek, Finland 1940s. In good original condition with signs f...
Birch
Iconic Alvar Aalto 3-legged Stool Model 60, Birch & White Formica, Artek 1940s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
An iconic model 60 stool in birch and white formica. Designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek in the 1930s, this design has definitely stood the test of time, as it is still in production a...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Stool 60 Black Linoleum
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Kiiminki, FI
Alvar Aalto stool 60 in birch and black linoleum, manufactured by Artek in the 1950s. Very nice vintage condition.
Birch
A 'Pair' of Roughly Loved Alvar Aalto Stools Model 60 In Birch, Artek 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
A pair of Artek stools in birch and multi layered colourful beautiful patina, designed by Alvar Aalto and retailed by Artek in the 1950s. The model 60 stool is perhaps the most well ...
Birch
$2,526Sale Price|35% Off
Alvar Aalto Stool 60 by Artek 1950s in Green Linoleum
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek's model 60 stool, design by Alvar Aalto. Beautifully patinated birch with rare green linoleum top. In good used condition. The stool is from circa 1950s. Designed by Alvar Aal...
Birch
Pair of stools in birch model 60 designed by Alvar Aalto, 1950s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Hägersten, SE
Pair of stools model 60 designed by Alvar Aalto. Produced by Artek during the 1950s. Honey tone birch and black laminate seats. good vintage condition with age related patina and wea...
Laminate, Birch
Finnish Wooden Children Low Stools in Bent Birch by Alvar Aalto & Artek Finland
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare set of four Finnish wooden four legged low children stools in bent birch by Alvar Aalto produced by Artek Finland ca 1980s. In good original and matching condition with natural ...
Birch
Model 60 Stool, Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1930/1940s
By Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Model 60 stool, designed by Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1930/1940s. Painted birch. Good vintage condition, rich patina and wear consistent wi...
Birch, Paint
Model 60 Stool, Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1930/1940s
By Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Model 60 stool, designed by Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1930/1940s. Painted birch. Good vintage condition, heavy patina consistent with age an...
Birch, Paint
Alvar Aalto Stool 60, Finmar Three Legged Stool, Finland 1930s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in London, GB
This stool is a timeless classic which captures the midcentury style. Model 60. It is made from birch was designed by Alvar Aalto in Finland and was originally sold in the UK by Fin...
Wood
alvar aalto 1940's 71 side table
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Tomi, Nagano
1940's Alvar Aalto 71 side table.
Birch
Alvar Aalto Teal Stool 60
By Alvar Aalto
Located in London, GB
This iconic Alvar Aalto Stool is a masterclass in minimalist design and enduring craftsmanship. Aalto's celebrated bent plywood construction is on full display, with three gracefully...
Plywood
