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 Artek Table Finland 1940s Vintage Original
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
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
$3,335
H 22.05 in Dm 28.75 in
Modernist Alvar Aalto Round Coffee Table Model 72 in Birch for Artek, 1950s
By Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
Mid-Century Modern round coffee table model 72 by Architect Alvar Aalto for Artek from The 1950s. The table is in full birch with the iconic bent legs. This medium sized and light ta...
Birch
1980s Aino and Alvar Aalto for Artek 90A Round Dining Table 40"
By Alvar Aalto, Aino Aalto
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Table 90A, originally designed by Aino and Alvar Aalto in 1933. This particular example was produced by Artek in Finland and dates to the 1980s. The piece is constructed of...
Birch
$895
H 17.5 in Dm 18.8 in
Mid Century Modern Sculptural Round Table w/ Bent Legs by Alvar Aalto for Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Simple yet elegant design by the iconic Alvar Aalto for artek. Round birch top about 19 in diameter with a height of 17.5 a good size to use in several locations. In very good condit...
Birch
Round White Dining Table by Alvar Aalto for Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1960s. Finland. Linoleum top with birch frame.
Birch
1939 World's Fair Marked Center Table by Alvar Aalto for Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rare, museum quality, table with a solid teak top on laminated maple legs. Retaining a partial label from the 1939 World's Fair.
Teak, Maple
$2,144
H 22.05 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Alvar Aalto Mid-Century Modern Center Table, Artek, Finland, 1960
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Barcelona, ES
Dining table designed by Alvar Aalto, circa 1960. Manufactured by Artek (Finland). Wood legs and structure. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, prese...
Wood
alvar aalto 1940's 71 side table
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Tomi, Nagano
1940's Alvar Aalto 71 side table.
Birch
1960s Scandinavian Modern Danish Solid Teak Round Dining Table
By Arne Jacobsen, Hans J. Wegner, Eero Saarinen
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Very elegant 1960s round dining table Made in Denmark, unusually constructed from solid teak wood (not veneered). Quintessential Scandinavian Modern design: minimal, fine materials, highly practical, clean smooth lines, sturdy construction and timeless aesthetic. The table has a diameter of 40 in (100 cm) and a single leg, which achieves an uncluttered appearance under the table and buttressing into four feet that rise a low profile parallel to the floor. This leg form in teak bears a striking resemblance to the iconic La Fonda base by Charles Eames, which was cast in Aluminum. Table height is standard 28.5 in (72 cm). The leg and feet are also carved from beautiful solid, strait grained teak. The table has been professionally refinished in a hard wax oil which faithfully presents the original look and feel whilst providing contemporary levels of robust protection. The table has only extremely minor signs of wear considering the age and use. This timeless table shows every promise of gracing a kitchen or dining room for another 60 years, and then some. The contemporaneous cognac leather shell chairs...
Steel
$4,526
H 21.66 in W 29.14 in D 29.53 in
An Exceptionally Rare Alvar Aalto War-time Coffee table in Birch, Artek 1940s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful wartime coffee or sofa table by Alvar Aalto. This table features the distinctive wartime joints, a construction detail used during and around the Second World War when ma...
Birch
Scandinavian Modern Round Dining Table, Alvar Aalto, Artek, 1960s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Scandinavian Modern round dining table, design Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Artek, 1960s. Teak. Good vintage condition, patina consistent with age and use. Alvar Aalto (1898-1976) ...
Teak
Alvar Aalto Coffee Table, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1930s
By Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Alvar Aalto coffee table, manufactured by Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1930s. Stained birch. Good vintage condition, minor patina consistent with age and use. Alvar Aalto...
Birch
Model 70 Side Table, Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1940s
By Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Model 70 side table, design Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1940/1950s. Birch. Marked. Good vintage condition, rich patina consistent with age and...
Birch
Scandinavian Modern Model 81C Table, Alvar Aalto, Artek, 1960s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Scandinavian Modern model 81C table, design Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Artek, 1960s. Birch frame, blue linoleum table top. Good vintage condition, patina consistent with age and us...
Birch
Table, Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1950s
By Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto
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
Scandinavian Modern Model 81C Table, Alvar Aalto, Artek, 1950s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Scandinavian Modern model 81C table, design Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Artek, 1950s. Birch frame, blue linoleum table top. Good vintage condition, patina consistent with age and us...
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.
