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.
Alvar Aalto Cabinet Model. 810 in Birch, Artek 1950s
By Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
A rare cabinet model 810 designed by Alvar Aalto and manufactured by Artek in Finland in the 1950s. Very minimal and sleek design, perfect for almost any interior. The item is in ver...
Birch
Rare cabinet '808' by Alvar Aalto for AB Artek in Hedemora, Sweden, 1940s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Cabinet '808' by Alvar Aalto. Rare piece of furtniture and even more so when its produced by Aaltos factory in Hedemora, Sweden. AB Artek in Hedemora opened 1946 in order to produc...
Birch
Alvar Aalto for Artek Danish Modern Filing Cabinet or Desk Return
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Atlanta, GA
Danish Modern Birch Filing Cabinet or Desk Return, designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Finland, circa 1980s. Retains its warm original patina. This...
Metal
Aino Aalto Toy Cabinet for Artek Finland Original
By Artek, Alvar Aalto, Aino Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek toy cabinet, birch. In good used condition. Designer Aino Aalto.
Birch
Alvar Aalto Cabinet for Artek Finland Original 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Rare Artek cabinet with one drawer and a compartment with a door, birch. The cabinet has an old Artek stamp on the bottom. The cabinet is from the 1950s-60s and is in good used condi...
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
Alvar Aalto H297 Chest of Drawers, Birch Wood, Artek, Finland, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Kangasala, FI
Chest of drawers model name H297 designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek. This model fits under Artek's table instead of the L-legs, therefore this is the perfect solution for your offi...
Birch
$3,062Sale Price|25% Off
Alvar Aalto Cabinet 217 Artek 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek 217 cabinet with sliding doors, from 1950s by Alvar Aalto. In wonderful condition. The cabinet has one large shelf inside. The Artek 217 cabinet, desi...
Wood
1950s Pair of Aino & Alvar Aalto for Artek Laminated Birch Shelves, Model 112B
By Aino Aalto, Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of wall shelves, Model 112B designed in 1936 by Aino and Alvar Aalto for Artek. This is an early and important pair, and is rarely seen in the American marketplace. Th...
Birch
$888
H 9.85 in W 35.44 in D 9.85 in
Mid-Century Modern 112B Wall Shelf by Alvar Aalto for Artek, 1950/1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant Mid-Century Modern wall shelf 112B. Design by Alvar Aalto for Artek Finland. Striking Finnish design from the 1960s. Original birch and birch veneer frame with o...
Birch
$4,491 / set
H 25.2 in W 35.44 in D 11.82 in
Alvar Aalto Pair of Minimalistic Iconic Shelves Model 112-2 for Artek, 1940s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
A pair of shelves designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek in the 1930s. They are made from bent laminated birch, solid birch, and plywood birch. If you are l...
Birch
$2,750
H 3 in W 32.25 in D 18.5 in
Original Alvar Aalto Shoe Rack Designed for the Stora Enso Building Finland
By Alvar Aalto
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration is this rare and custom shoe rack designed by Alvar Aalto circa 1960 featuring solid birch wood slats. Custom designed by Alvar Aal...
Wood, Birch
Alvar Aalto Wall Shelf Produced by Artek in Finland
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare wall shelf designed by Alvar Aalto. Produced by Artek in Finland.
Birch
$2,500
H 38 in W 35.5 in D 18.5 in
Mid-Century Danish Modern Roll Top Desk, Dresser or Cabinet in Teak
By Finn Juhl, Arne Vodder
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine looking roll top Scandinavian desk made in the 1970s. It features beautiful teak wood and plenty of storage space. In the style of: Finn Juhl or Arne Vodder.
Teak
$4,491
H 41.34 in W 34.65 in D 19.69 in
Rare Aino Aalto, Solid Pine Cabinet with Drawers for Artek, 1940s
By Artek, Aino Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
This cabinet is extremely rare and is most definitely sought after by Aalto collectors. With the original stamp, Aalto Design, Artek, this piece is from the 1940s. Although the Aalto...
Pine
$4,400Sale Price|50% Off
H 50.4 in W 31.89 in D 17.72 in
Swedish Modern 1940s Cabinet from Walfrid Svensson & Co in Karlstad
Located in Örebro, SE
This is the Swedish Modern 1940s cabinet from the furniture factory AB Walfrid Svensson & Co in Karlstad. It comes with stained oak burl veneered double doors, decorated with a ...
Oak, Burl
Swedish Modern bar cabinet in Mahogany and root veneer, 1940s
Located in Uppsala, SE
Swedish Modern serving or bar cabinet in Mahogany and root veneer from the 1940s by unidentified designer. Legs in dark stained birch (or possibly Elm). A draw out serving shelf in g...
Birch, Elm, Mahogany
Mid-Century Modern Teak Filing Cabinet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A mid-century modern teak filing cabinet featuring clean lines and warm wood grain. The piece is accented with elegant brass handles and offers practical storage in a compact footpri...
Teak
$11,404
H 53.15 in W 39.77 in D 15.75 in
Midcentury Modern Cabinet by Erik Matsson, Mjölby Intarsia, Sweden, 1940s
By Mjölby Intarsia
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful cabinet from Mjölby Intarsia, made from mahogany with doors inlayed with a paradisical naturalism motif by Erik Matsson. It depicts a man and animals on a small island, car...
Mahogany
Model HB96 Chest of Drawers, Alvar Aalto, 1930s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Model HB96 chest of drawers, design by Alvar Aalto, 1930s. Birch. Good vintage condition, rich patina and wear consistent with age and use. Alvar Aalto (1898-1976) is probably the ...
Birch
Scandinavian Modern "Hytte" Cabinet from NK, Sweden, 1940s
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful midcentury “Hytte” cabinet from NK, made from pine in a rustic design. Traditional design elements yet distinctly modernist.
Pine
Alvar Aalto Cabinet 217 by Artek in 1960s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek 217 cabinet, white with teak doors. In a very good condition. The cabinet is from the 1960s. The cabinet has 3 original recessed shelves with finger jo...
Birch, Teak
Early Alvar Aalto Five Drawer Cabinet Desk Return
By Alvar Aalto
Located in San Mateo, CA
Five drawer cabinet designed by Alvar Aalto. The cabinet has two adjustable shelves on the back side. This piece would normally be used with an Alvar Aalto desk. This cabinet was ret...
Birch
Very Rare Alvar Aalto Cabinet
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
An exceedingly rare cabinet designed by Alvar Aalto. This item has sustained a great condition and has acquired a beautiful toned color in its lifespan of over 50 years. One of the b...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Cabinet Model 810, Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
A rare Alvar Aalto cabinet from the 1950s, in original condition and beautiful patina. The back side has been painted yellow sometime before we acquired the cabinet. I have seen simi...
Birch
Sold
H 17.72 in W 29.53 in D 9.85 in
Wall Cabinet with Writing Surface Designed by Alvar Aalto for Aalto Möbler
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Wall cabinet with writing surface designed by Alvar Aalto for Aalto Möbler, Sweden, 1950s. Birch veneer. Stamped ‘AALTO MÖBLER SVENSK KVALITETSPRODUK’....
Birch
Alvar Aalto for Artek Birch Drawer Cabinets, Set of 2
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Rochester, England
Originally designed by Alvar Aalto in the 1940s, Artek continued to produce the drawer cabinet for decades afterwards. Constructed from birch wood, the cabinets feature four drawe...
Birch
Sold
H 25.99 in W 14.97 in D 20.48 in
Alvar Aalto for Artek, Vintage Desk Cabinet with Drawers in Birch, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Odense, DK
Charming vintage desk module "model 296" by Alvar Aalto. Cabinet mounted on wooden castors. Five drawers and shelves to the back. Early edition made at Artek in the 1950s. Later pain...
Birch
Midcentury Alvar Aalto Rolling Cabinet
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Midcentury Aalto rolling chest of drawers featuring two toned black lacquer and Finnish Birch exterior. Having the rarer three drawer version on a rollin...
Birch, Lacquer
Alvar Aalto Cabinet Produced by Artek in Finland
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare cabinet designed by Alvar Aalto. Produced by Artek in Finland.
Brass
Alvar Aalto, Wardrobe from Paimio Sanatorium, 1932
By Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Uppsala, SE
Rare wardrobe from the patient rooms of the Paimio sanatorium that was built in 1932. And manufactured by Hounekalu-ja Rekannustyötehdas Oy. Aalto wa...
Birch, Plywood
Alvar Aalto Architectural Cabinet Credenza for Artek
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Chicago, IL
Alvar Aalto cabinet credenza for Artek. Model 808. This cabinet is in as-is condition at this time. As shown in photos. Best to plan to refinish/restore. A structurally solid rare c...
Wood
Alvar Aalto for Artek, Desk Cabinet in Lacquered Birch, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Odense, DK
Alvar Aalto for Artek, Finland. Rectangular desk, model 296. Cabinet mounted on wooden castors. Five drawers and shelves to the back. Early edition from the 1950s in original vintage...
Birch