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 29.53 in W 88.19 in D 35.44 in
Large Expandable Alvar Aalto Wooden Dining Table Model 92, 1940s, Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
This is a beautiful extending table model 92 by Alvar Aalto from 1940s. The body of the table is solid birch. The surface of the table is laminated by oak veneer. An extension leaf t...
Birch, Oak
H 27.96 in W 29.53 in D 59.06 in
Table 81A by Alvar Aalto for Artek
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
Alvar Aalto designed Table 81A for Artek in the 1950s. Artek is a Finnish furniture manufacturer that Aalto co-founded in 1935. The table is made of solid birch wood, which is maste...
Birch
H 28 in W 48 in D 30 in
Alvar Aalto Dining Table for Artek
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dining table designed by Alvar Aalto, for Artek. The table features a rectangular blue laminate top that sits atop bent birch wood legs. This design features Aalto’s signature metho...
Laminate, Birch, Bentwood
H 27.96 in W 29.93 in D 29.93 in
Drop-Leaf Dining Table Model DL82 by Alvar Aalto, Artek, Finland, 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Karis, Nyland
A functional and timeless DL82 drop-leaf table by Alvar Aalto, produced by Artek in the 1960s. The design features Aalto’s signature bentwood legs paired with a white laminate top. T...
Laminate, Birch
H 18 in Dm 28.25 in
Alvar Aalto Table by Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Highland, IN
This terrific vintage Aalto table is entirely original and has a wonderful patina from age and use. Acquired directly from its original owner, it has great provenance. 18"h X 28.25"d
Wood
H 27.96 in W 53.15 in D 31.5 in
Model X800A Dining Table, Alvar Aalto, Artek, Late 20th Century
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Model X800A dining table, design Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Artek, Late 20th Century. Birch and ash. Iconic x -leg. Good vintage condition, minor patina consistent with age and use...
Ash, Birch
H 23.5 in Dm 49.25 in
Vintage Aalto Table Round (Table 91) by Alvar Aalto for Artek
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Centreville, VA
The Aalto Table conveys a relaxed familiarity that resists categorisation. With legs and edge-bands of Finnish birch, it radiates natural beauty and warmth, moving easily between p...
Bentwood
H 22.05 in W 23.23 in D 16.15 in
Alvar Aalto Side Table Model A86 in Honey Birch, Artek, 1940s
By Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
This small size side table can be used in any room, and for a variety of purposes. The shelf feature makes it perfect as an arm chair or reading space side table. The vintage honey l...
Birch
H 26.97 in W 39.38 in D 20.48 in
Alvar Aalto Writing Table Model K81 in Birch, Artek 1940s
By Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
A rare Mid-Century Modern writing desk in full birch model K81 manufactured by Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas for Artek. The minimalist design of the table already designed in the 1...
Birch
H 28.35 in W 42.13 in D 27.17 in
Aino Aalto Extendable Dining Table in Birch and Oak, Artek 1940s
By Artek, Aino Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
Effortlessly blending form and function, this extendable table by Aino Aalto epitomizes the quiet brilliance of Scandinavian modernism. Crafted from warm birch and oak, its clean lin...
Birch, Oak
Alvar Aalto Side Table by Artek 1940s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek two-tiered side table, designed by Alvar Aalto. The table is from the 1940s-1950s, in good used condition and has a wonderful patina. On the bottom there is an old Artek stamp.
Birch
Alvar Aalto Side Table by Artek 1940s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek two-tier side table, with old finger-jointed legs from the shortage period, designed by Alvar Aalto. The table is from the 1940s, in good used condition and has a wonderful pat...
Birch
Alvar Aalto L-Legged Table by Artek 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek table, birch with cream linoleum. Designed by Alvar Aalto. The table is from around the 1950s and has beautiful patina.
Birch
Alvar Aalto L-Legged Table by Artek 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek table, birch with yellow linoleum. Designed by Alvar Aalto. The table is from the 1960s and shows nicely signs of life. Some extra holes in the legs.
Birch
Alvar Aalto H92 Extendable Table by Artek 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Extendable table model H92, designed by Alvar Aalto and manufactured by Artek, birch with mahogany table top. The table is from around the 1950s, and has beutiful patina of age. The ...
Birch, Mahogany
Alvar Aalto Tea Trolley 901 by Artek 1940s
By Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek tea cart 901, designed by Alvar Aalto and manufactured by O.Y. Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas A.B. This trolley is from 1940s. In very good condition for its age, and a wonder...
Birch
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Andrew Duncanson, founder of the Stockholm- and London-based gallery Modernity, weighs in on the masters of mid-century furniture and decorative arts.
