An architect and designer, Alvar Aalto deserves an immense share of the credit for bringing Scandinavian modernism and Nordic design to a prominent place in the global arena. In both his buildings and his vintage furniture — which ranges from chairs, stools, tables and lighting to table- and glassware — Aalto’s sensitivity to the natural world and to organic forms and materials tempered the hardness of rationalist design.
Relatively few Aalto buildings exist outside Finland. (Just four exist in the United States, and only one — the sinuous 1945 Baker House dormitory at M.I.T. — is easily visited.) International attention came to Aalto, whose surname translates to English as “wave,” primarily through his furnishings.
Instead of the tubular metal framing favored by the Bauhaus designers and Le Corbusier, Aalto insisted on wood. His aesthetic is best represented by the Paimio armchair, developed with his wife, Aino Aalto, in 1930 as part of the overall design of a Finnish tuberculosis sanatorium.
Comfortable, yet light enough to be easily moved by patients, the Paimio chair’s frame is composed of two laminated birch loops; the seat and back are formed from a single sheet of plywood that scrolls under the headrest and beneath the knees, creating a sort of pillow effect. Aalto’s use of plywood had an enormous influence on Charles and Ray Eames, Arne Jacobsen, Marcel Breuer and others who later came to the material.
Concerned with keeping up standards of quality in the production of his designs, Aalto formed the still-extant company Artek in 1935, along with Aino, whose glass designs were made by the firm. In the latter medium, in 1936 the Aaltos together created the iconic, undulating Savoy vase, so-called for the luxe Helsinki restaurant for which the piece was designed.
Artek also produced Aalto pendants and other lighting designs, many of which — such as the Angel’s Wing floor lamp and the Beehive pendant — incorporate a signature Aalto detail: shades made of concentric enameled-metal rings graduated down in diameter. The effect of the technique is essential Alvar Aalto: at once precise, simple, and somehow poetic.
Find a collection of vintage Alvar Aalto stools, vases, dining tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
H 30.5 in W 21 in D 25.5 in
Early Alvar Aalto 'Hallway' Chair 'Model 403' for Finmar
By Finmar, Alvar Aalto
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Finmar Model 403 'Hallway' chair designed by Alvar Aalto and produced from 1930 through 1950 in Finland. The chair features a honey toned birch wood with bent plywood seat and backre...
Birch, Plywood
H 26.97 in W 24.22 in D 29.53 in
Rare, Early Alvar Aalto Model 31/42 Cantilevered Armchairs, Finland, 1930s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
Rare, early Alvar Aalto model 31/42 cantilevered armchairs, Finland, 1930s, designed and produced in the 1930s. Painted birch-veneered bent plywoo...
Birch, Plywood
H 29.14 in W 24.02 in D 28.35 in
Alvar Aalto Pair of Sheepskin Padded Cantilever Armchairs Model 402, Artek 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful pair of mid-century Alvar Aalto cantilever 'spring' chairs model 402, also known as Pikkupaimio (small paimio) associated with the legendary Paimio Sanatorium designed by...
Metal
H 18.11 in Dm 12.6 in
Alvar Aalto for Finmar Artek Stool
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Iconic Alvar Aalto four legged stool made with bending chair legs of solid wood. This method of bending was conceived by joiner Otto Korhonen. Legs are m...
Birch
H 31.25 in W 19 in D 19.5 in
Early Chair 11 by Alvar Aalto for Artek/Finmar, 1930s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Centreville, VA
Chair 11 (with Finmar label) Designer: Alvar Aalto Year: 1929 One of Alvar Aalto’s first modern furniture designs. “Advertised as the ‘auditorium chair...
Birch
H 30 in W 24 in D 27.5 in
2000s Pair of Model 402 Lounge Chairs by Aino & Alvar Aalto for Artek
By Alvar Aalto, Aino Aalto, Artek
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of model 402 lounge ‘Ateljé’ chairs, designed by Aino and Alvar Aalto for Artek in 1933. This particular pair was born in the mid 2000s. These classic cantilever loung...
Fabric, Birch
H 25.6 in W 25.6 in D 30.32 in
Model 31 Armchair Alvar Aalto, Finland, 1930s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in London, GB
A model 31 armchair designed by one of Finland's most prestigious Modernist designers and architects, Alvar Aalto. The model 31 was designed by Aalto during the 1930s whilst he was working alongside his wife and partner, Aino Aalto, on the Paimio Sanitorium. Aalto won the commission for the tuberculosis hospital in 1929, and over 4 years built a gesamtkunstwerk, "total work of art", dedicated to physical and mental wellness in every capacity possible. Aalto described the sanatorium itself as a "medical instrument", prioritising ventilation and heliotherapy (sun exposure), with furniture functioning a core part of this finely tuned instrument. The low seat and gently reclining form of the model 31 is indicative of the environment of restfullness which Aino and Aalto sought to construct at Paimio. Much like the eponymous "Paimio Chair", the most recognised design from the project, the model 31 shares the scroll-like expression created by the continuous seat and back. However, unlike the "Paimio Chair" the model 31 has a cantilevered construction created by the sweeping curves of the laminated birch frame, inspired by the original "Freischwinger" by Mart Stam from 1926. This particular armchair was once owned by British artist and designer, Max Clendinning, and his partner Ralph Adron...
Birch
H 27.17 in W 24.02 in D 29.14 in
Alvar Aalto 402 Series Armchair for Artek, circa 1960, lambskin
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Lounge chair designed by Alvar Aalto manufactured, circa 1960. New upholstered with lambskin Curved birch plywood and braided vegetable fiber. Measures: 74 x 61 x 69 cm.
Sheepskin, Birch
H 29.14 in W 16.93 in D 18.12 in
alvar aalto chair69 natural 1930's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Tomi, Nagano
Designed by Alvar Aalto. This chair 69 was manufactured in the 1930s. It has a structure that seems to be an early product that is not found in current products. The paint film from ...
Birch
H 27.25 in W 24 in D 29 in
Alvar Aalto Model 402 Lounge Chair, Bent Birch & Blue Vinyl, Early Model 1930s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Detroit, MI
The Model 402 lounge chair or ‘Atelje’ chair was designed by Alvar and Aino Aalto in 1933 and is considered a masterpiece of modernist furniture design. The classic, well-balanced de...
Fabric, Birch, Bentwood
Danish Dining Chairs by Niels O. Möller, Rosewood & Leather, 1960s
By Neils O. Möller
Located in London, GB
A rare pair of Mid 20th Century Danish dining chairs fully restored with black leather seats and Rosewood frames, Model no. 78s These elegant dining chairs were designed by Niels Ot...
Leather, Rosewood
Arne Vodder Model 212 Danish Rosewood Dining Table by Sibast 1960s
By Sibast, Arne Vodder
Located in London, GB
Model 212 dining table designed by Arne Vodder and produced by Sibast Møbler in Denmark during the 1960s. This elegant Scandinavian oval shaped table is crafted in richly figured ros...
Rosewood
Robin Day Dining Table for Hille, Blue Top, Elm Base, 1950s
By Hille, Robin Day
Located in London, GB
A rare and highly desirable table designed by Robin Day for Hille Of London in the 1950s, featuring an original blue laminated top—an uncommon example of its kind and visually striki...
Laminate, Beech
Salvador Dali Metal & Gold Gilt 'Bird In Hand' Compact For Elgin American 1950's
By Salvador Dalí
Located in London, GB
This exquisite vintage compact is a rare and highly collectible piece designed by the legendary surrealist artist Salvador Dalí in collaboration with Elgin American during the 1950s....
Metal
Antique Edwardian Mahogany Tallboy Chest Of Drawers Brass Handles Storage Unit
Located in London, GB
An excellent Antique tallboy chest of drawers comprising of 7 drawers with brass half ring handles and marquetry details surrounding each drawer front. Each drawer is lockable - on...
Mahogany
Antique Cheroot Cigar Holder made From Amber & Sterling Silver A.F & Co
Located in London, GB
A beautiful vintage amber cigar holder by A.F. & C. (Adolph Frankau & Co.), fitted with solid sterling silver mounts, and presented in its original fitted presentation case. The amber displays a rich honey tone with natural internal variations, giving the piece excellent depth and character. The silver mount is hallmarked sterling silver, with a naturally aged patina. The silk-lined interior of the case is stamped “Prima Ware”, a known trade name used by Adolph Frankau & Co., confirming the attribution. A high-quality and highly collectible piece of antique tobacciana...
Sterling Silver
A power couple before the term existed, the influential pair made work that still resonates today.
Andrew Duncanson, founder of the Stockholm- and London-based gallery Modernity, weighs in on the masters of mid-century furniture and decorative arts.
