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.
Rare Alvar Aalto ceiling lamp model A334 for Valaistustyö, circa 1950.
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Hägersten-Liljeholmen, Stockholms län
Iconic and rare pendant light model A 334 designed by Alvar Aalto for Valaistustyö which is the first edition of those lights that are not produced anymore. The lamp is made in laque...
Brass, Iron
$12,928Sale Price|25% Off
A805 Angel Wing Floor Lamp by Alvar Aalto for Valaistustyö, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Valaistustyö
Located in Kelkheim (Taunus), HE
Iconic 1. Edition A805 Angel Wing Floor Lamp by Alvar Aalto for Valaistustyö from the 1950`s. The lamp is in original condition with and shows wear consistent with age and use. The...
Metal, Brass
Alvar Aalto, Golden Bell pendant light, model A330, made by Valaistustyö, 1950s
By Valaistustyö, Alvar Aalto
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Alvar Aalto "Golden Bell" Pendant Light, model A330 originally designed in 1937 for the Savoy Restaurant in Helsinki, then produced during the 1950s by Valaistustyö stamped with mode...
Brass
Early Alvar Aalto A332 Beehive Pendant in White & Brass, Valaistustyö 1950s
By Valaistustyö, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
This is one of Alvar Aalto´s most iconic lighting designs. It was first designed in 1953. The design is incredibly simple and takes from nature as it m...
Metal, Brass
Alvar Aalto Table Lamp Model A704 in White and Black Leather, Valaistustyö 1950s
By Valaistustyö, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
This table lamp model A704 was designed by Alvar Aalto and manufactured by Valaistustyö in the 1950s. Viljo Hirvonen and Alvar Aalto started their work...
Metal
Alvar Aalto Floor Lamp Model A808 In Brass, Valaistustyö Oy 1950s
By Valaistustyö, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
Floor lamp model A808 designed by Alvar Aalto and manufactured by Valaistustyö in Finland in the late 50s- early 60s. The lamp has a futuristic Sci-Fi vibe with the light coming thro...
Brass
Alvar Aalto Floor Lamp A808 By Valaistustyö
By Valaistustyö, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek A808 lamp, brass shade with white bottom grille, and brass base with black leather. Manufacturer Valaistustyö, designer Alvar Aalto. In good used condition and working. A coupl...
Metal, Brass
Alvar Aalto A334 Ceiling Lamp, Metal, Mid-Century Modern Design
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Berlin, DE
This is a rare ceiling lamp, designed by Alvar Aalto, known as Model A334. It was created around 1950 for the Finnish lighting manufacturer Valaistustyö. The lamp features Aalto’s si...
Metal
Floor Lamp in Brass and Leather by Alvar Aalto, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
The floor lamp model A 808, designed by Alvar Aalto and produced by Valaistustyö in Finland during the 1950s, is a rare and sophisticated example of mid-century Scandinavian lighting...
Brass
Finnish modern chandelier Beehive by Alvar Aalto for Valaisinpaja Oy, 1970s
By Alvar Aalto, Valaisinpaja Oy
Located in MIlano, IT
Finnish modern chandelier Beehive by Alvar Aalto for Valaisinpaja Oy, 1970s Chandelier model Beehive or A 331 with a round white lacquered metal frame. The diffuser is composed of b...
Metal, Brass
A808 Floor Lamp by Alvar Aalto for Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 2000s. Made in Finland. Leather wrapped with brass shell.
Brass
Alvar Aalto Ceiling light Model B 335 Designed for Valaisinpaja Oy, Finland
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Ceiling light model B 335 designed by Alvar Aalto for Valaisinpaja Oy. The lamp creates a warm, diffuse light when switched on, a result of the ingenious design that features several rows of perforated steel rings. The bottom ring is pierced powder coated aluminum shade Included in page 494 from “1000 Lights 1878 to 1959” (vol.1) from Taschen vintage retro Scandinavian...
Metal
$2,377Sale Price|20% Off
Alvar Aalto A703 Table Lamp for Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek's model A703 table lamp, designed by Alvar Aalto. In very good used condition.
Metal
Finnish Mid Century "A704" Desk Lamp in Metal & Leather by Alvar Aalto, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Valaistustyö
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare Finnish desk / table lamp model "A704" by Alvar Aalto produced and stamped by Valaistustyö, Finland 1950s. In good original condition. Dimensi...
Metal
Alvar Aalto Model “A704” Table Lamp for Valaistustyö Ky, Finland 1950s
By Valaistustyö, Alvar Aalto
Located in Utrecht, NL
Finland and Helsinki were extremely important in the Mid-Century Modern design history, and one of its most famous designers was Alvar Aalto. In contrast with the functionalism of th...
Leather
Alvar Aalto Angel Wing Floor Lamp Model A805 by Valaistustyö in Finland
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare and first production angel wing floor lamp model A805 designed by Alvar Aalto. Produced by Valaistustyö in Finland.
Brass, Steel
Alvar Aalto Early Floor Lamp Model A 808 by Valaistustyö in Finland
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare and early floor lamp model A 808 designed by Alvar Aalto. Produced by Valaistustyö in Finland. Designed for National Pensions Institute in Helsinki.
Brass
Alvar Aalto Angel Wing Floor Lamp Model A805 by Valaistustyö in Finland
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare and 1st production angel wing floor lamp model A805 designed by Alvar Aalto. Produced by Valaistustyö in Finland.
Leather, Lacquer
Alvar Aalto Angel Wing Floor Lamp by Valaistustyö in Finland
By Alvar Aalto, Valaistustyö
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare and 1st production angel wing floor lamp model A805 designed by Alvar Aalto. Produced by Valaistustyö in Finland.
Brass
Floor Lamp Model A809 Designed by Alvar Aalto for Valaistustyö, Finland, 1959
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Floor lamp model A809 designed by Alvar Aalto for Valaistustyö, Finland. 1959. Lacquered steel, brass and leather. Dimensions: H: 170 cm/ 5' 7 1/4'' W: 60 cm/ 2' D: 40 cm/ 15 3/4''...
Brass, Steel
Alvar Aalto A703 "Visor" Lamp for Valaistustyo, Stamped by Maker, 1957
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Alvar Aalto table / desk light designed 1957 for Valaistustyo, Finland. Enameled steel black base and shade with contrasting white visor. Goose neck arm for shade orientation. Sta...
Steel
$8,916 / item
Angel wing édition artek
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Paris, FR
Hand-riveted, white-painted metal slats. Black leather-covered tube and base. Polished brass or nickel-plated brass top. The A805 floor lamp is characterized by the thin strips of ha...
Metal
Price Upon Request
Beehive Pendent by Alvar Aalto for Artek
By Alvar Aalto
Located in San Francisco, CA
A classic beehive pendant model A331 by Alvar Aalto for Artek of white aluminum and chrome-plated steel rings that filter the light beautifully. ...
Steel, Aluminum