Many of the most important works by acclaimed Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto can be attributed to a single design element: the L-leg. The L-shaped design allowed legs to be attached directly to Aalto’s sophisticated tables and seating, without the need for a connecting joint. This innovation, which he called “the little sister of the architectural column,” characterized the designer’s penchant for simple, easily adaptable furniture pieces, such as the side tables, coffee tables and dining tables he created, which straddled elegance and simplicity.
Developed in partnership with furniture manufacturer Otto Korhonen and patented in 1933, the L-shaped leg — the result of Aalto’s experimentation with bending birchwood, a pioneering technique at the time — would become a hallmark of tables, stools (see his iconic Stool 60), benches and chairs that Aalto designed and produced through his company, Artek, which he cofounded in 1935 with his wife and designer Aino, Maire Gullichsen and Nils-Gustav Hahl. The company quickly found success selling streamlined, modern furniture both in Finland and, thanks to a growing interest in Nordic furniture outside Scandinavia, internationally, including the UK where many early Artek pieces were imported by the company Finmar.
Like much of his furniture, most of Aalto’s tables, especially early models, are constructed either fully or in part with birch, which the designer referred to as a “form-inspiring, deeply human material.” The flexibility of his L-leg design allowed for easily interchangeable combinations of tabletops. It also standardized the design process for multiple shapes, with the same bentwood L-legs attached to round, square or rectangular tops for a variety of table models. This look is a hallmark of Aalto’s style — and, indeed, of mid-century Scandinavian modern design in general. It has been frequently riffed on and copied throughout the ensuing decades, though Artek still produces Aalto’s original designs.
Find a wide range of vintage Alvar Aalto tables on 1stDibs.
Alvar Aalto Writing Table Model K81 in Birch & Red Linoleum, Artek 1950s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
A rare Mid-Century Modern writing desk in full birch and red linoleum model K81 manufactured by Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas for Artek. The minimalist design of this table which w...
Birch
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
Alvar Aalto Desk for Artek, Model 216C, c. 1970
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Andes, NY
Rare white linoleum top writing desk designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek, model 216C, with his signature L leg construction and a five-drawer chest that can be placed on the right or t...
Laminate, Birch
Vintage Functionalist Desk by Alvar Aalto, Artek, Finland, 1930s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Desk by Alvar Aalto made from birch with original green top. Lovely, clean lines. Neat size, small drawer to the left.
Birch
$5,830Sale Price|20% Off
Alvar Aalto Rare Writing Table from Otaniemi Technical University, 1960s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Rare writing table, designed by Alvar Aalto, 1960s. Birch with linoleum table top. Later modified with the reading lamp. The writing table is from the Otaniemi Technical University. ...
Metal
Table, Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Table, designed by Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1950s. Birch frame, linoleum table top. Good vintage condition, patina and minor wear consisten...
Birch
Prototype 153B Desk by Alvar Aalto for Artek
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s. Finland. Never seen 153B desk/console table by Artek.
Wood
$12,000
aino & alvar aalto 40's K-96
By Aino Aalto, Alvar Aalto
Located in Tomi, Nagano
alvar & aino aalto 40's K-69 desk ,early model, very rear,oliginal condition with great patina
Birch
Alva Alato Table Red Lacquer Table Top, 1930
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Hamburg, DE
Very early desk, writing table by Alva Aalto, circa 1930, red lacquer tabletop, birch, bentwood, table size 182 cm x 90 cm x 72 cm.
Birch, Bentwood
Alvar Aalto Dining Table
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean Lined Architectural Dining Table, designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Finland, circa 1970s. Retains wonderful original patina only retained with age. Please see our other 1stdib...
Laminate, Beech, Birch
Detail Nordic teak writing desk, 1960s
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
Detail Nordic teak writing desk, 1960s. Extraordinary Original 1960s Nordic design desk in right-sized teak wood. Its peculiarity is the positioning of the rear legs, which are not ...
Teak
$8,325
H 29.53 in W 90.16 in D 35.44 in
Alvar Aalto Artek Table 92 Extendable 1940s Finland Vintage Original
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek 92 extendable table with two extension pieces. Birch frame, hardwood veneer on the surface. Designer Alvar Aalto. The table is from around 1940-1950 and in good used condition....
Birch, Hardwood
Alvar Aalto Artek Table Finland 1940s Vintage Original
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek table, birch. Round with L-legs. Designer Alvar Aalto. The table is from around the 1940s-1950s and is in good used condition. The bottom of the table has an old Artek stamp. D...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Table in Birch & Blue Linoleum, Artek 1960s
By Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
A classic L-leg table designed by Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Huonekalu- ja Rakennustehdas Oy and retailed by Artek in Finland. This piece exhibits a beautiful vintage patina, with ...
Birch
Alvar Aalto L-Legged Table by Artek 1960s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek table, birch with cream linoleum. Designer Alvar Aalto. The table is from around the 1960s. A few extra holes in the table legs. Wear consistent with age. Great patina. Size ...
Birch
Model 900 Tea Cart, Alvar Aalto, Artek, 1960s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Model 900 cart, design Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Artek, 1960s. Birch frame, ceramic tiles, rattan basket. Marked. Good vintage condition, patina and minor wear consistent with age...
Ceramic, Rattan, Birch
$1,731
H 27.96 in W 48.04 in D 29.93 in
Alvar Aalto Artek Table 81B Yellow Linoleum 1950s Finland Vintage Original
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek 81B table, birch with yellow linoleum. Designer Alvar Aalto. The table is from around the 1950s/60s. The table has signs of wear.
Birch
Model 901 Tea Cart, Alvar Aalto, Artek, Mid-20th Century
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Model 901 tea cart, design Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Artek, Mid-20th Century. Birch frame with black linoleum table tops. Good vintage condition, patina consistent with age and us...
Birch
$2,332
H 21.86 in Dm 39.38 in
Mid-Century Modern Yellow Linoleum Coffee Couch Table Alvar Aalto Artek Finland
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large coffee table by Artek, designed by Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto. Shown here with a linoleum surface in a special color. This Scandinavian design is hard to beat ...
Wood
Alvar Aalto Side Table Model A86 in Honey Birch, Artek, 1940s
By Artek, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto
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
$796
H 25.99 in Dm 39.38 in
Alvar Aalto large coffee low table, Artek c. 1970s, birch & white laminate top
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in London, GB
Alvar Aalto, Finland (designer) Coffee / Low Table Designed c. 1933, this example produced by Artek, Finland, c. 1970s. Birch and white laminate. Very good condition with some light...
Wood
alvar aalto 1930's table finmar tag (writing desk)
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Tomi, Nagano
A vintage Alvar Aalto table from the Finmar distribution period, with a thick black top and light bent birch legs. The strong contrast between the dark surface and the warm, curved l...
Birch
Sold
H 28 in W 39.375 in D 23.625 in
Mid-Century Alvar Aalto Model 81C Table, Red Laminate Top, Bent Birch Legs
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Model 81C table by Alvar Aalto demonstrates the Finnish architect's revolutionary approach to bent plywood construction. Designed for Artek, the piece employs signature L-shaped legs...
Laminate, Birch
Sold
H 28.55 in W 43.31 in D 22.05 in
Early Finnish Mid Century Wooden Working Desk Table & Chair by Alvar Aalto 1940s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
An early and unique set of a Finnish mid century modern desk by Alvar Aalto with laminated birch wood frame and two sliding drawers with a beautifully patinated brown linolium top. T...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Desk by Artek 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek writing table with drawers, birch with cream linoleum. The desk is from around the 1960s and in good used condition. Designer Alvar Aalto.
Birch
Sold
H 28.15 in W 39.38 in D 20.87 in
Desk Model K81, Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1950/1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Rare desk Model K81, designed by Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1950/1960s. Beautiful honey colored birch frame with rare color linoleum table to...
Birch
Square Birch Table by Alvar Aalto
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in London, GB
A square table with laminated, L-shaped legs. Designed by Alvar Aalto and manufactured by Artek, the furniture company founded by Aalto in Helsinki in 1935, during the late 1940s- ea...
Birch
Sold
H 28.35 in W 41.74 in D 19.69 in
Very Rare Aino Aalto Vanity Desk Model 191, Birch Painted in White, Artek 1930s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
Over half a century later, from its original days of manufacturing, this dressing table designed by Alvar Aalto is still extremely hard to come by. This particular piece comes with m...
Mirror, Birch
Alvar Aalto, rare 1930s table, model 96
By Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
Located in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi
In the annals of design history, the 1930s marked a transformative period where modernism emerged as a powerful force, reshaping the way we perceive and interact with the world aroun...
Birch
Alvar Aalto 60's Beech Desk and White Drawer
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Tomi, Nagano
Alvar aalto design beachtop desk and drawer set in white paint. You can expect yellowing to amber in the future, and it has a beautiful aging feeling.
Beech, Birch
Rare Narrow Alvar Aalto Table with Lino Top
By Alvar Aalto
Located in London, GB
This writing desk or kitchen table is a fine example of designer Alvar Aalto’s bentwood furniture design, produced by his Artek workshop. The unusually narrow proportions of the piece, suggest this was a bespoke commission for a private collector. Made late 1930s, early 1940s. Alvar Aalto (1898 - 1976), was a significant contributor of the International Style architectural movement since the opening on his firm in 1923. Working in collaboration with his first wife, architect Aino Marsio, they sought to create gersamkunstwerks - total works of art in which his designs would produce integrated spaces stimulating all senses. His intention was to design furniture recognisably modern, human - but most significantly, Finnish. Through his use of local birch wood in his furniture, Aalto imbued his designs with a warmth through curvilinear form. Focussing on the human through analysing the social implications of his designs, his humanist mode of practice inspired the likes of American designers Charles and Ray Eames, and George Nelson. This vintage example displays beautifully his innovative bent-wood L leg, developed alongside Otto Korhonen...
Plastic, Laminate, Birch
Rare Alvar Aalto Children's Table for Artek 1960s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Alvar Aalto children's table for Artek from the 1960s. Lacquered birch and linoleum surface. Rare yellow colour. Good vintage condition, minor wear cons...
Birch, Lacquer
Alvar Aalto L Leg Round Table
By ICF Group, Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Sheffield, MA
Alvar Aalto iconic Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern round table with birch L legs and contrasting black table top. 39.25" round. Table marked ICF, the retailer an...
Birch