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.
Set of 4 Alvar Aalto Stools Model no 60, Marimekko Unikko Textile, Artek 1940s
By Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
A sculptural fusion of form and function, this set of four 1940s Alvar Aalto stools exemplifies the purity of Scandinavian Modern design. With their legs mounted directly beneath the...
Fabric, Birch
Pair of Model 60 Stools, Alvar Aalto, Artek, 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Pair of model 60 stools, designed by Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Artek, 1960s. Birch frame, red linoleum seat. Good vintage condition, patina and wear consistent with age and use. T...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Stool X600 X-leg or "Fan Leg" in Birch and Oak, Artek, 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful model X600 stool designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek in the 1960s in Finland. Even though simple, this stool comes with great quality and attention to detail. The X-leg or ...
Birch, Oak
A Pair of Alvar Aalto Stools Model no 60, Black Laminate, Artek 1950s
By Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
These two iconic Alvar Aalto stools from the 1950s are beautiful and space saving furniture pieces of timeless design. The legs are mounted directly to the underside of the round sea...
Fabric, Birch
Pair of Model 401 Armchairs, Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
By Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Pair of model 401 armchairs, designed by Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1940/1950s. Birch frame, wool fabric upholstery. Good vintage condition, ...
Wool, Birch
Pair of Alvar Aalto Cantilever Chairs Model 406 by Artek in Birch Cane Webbing
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Alvar Aalto, cantilevered chairs model 406. Laminated birch, cane. circa 1960 The model 406 chair was originally designed in 1938-39. 35"H x ...
Cane, Birch
Alvar Aalto, chair model 65 for Artek, rare Swedish production, Hedemora ca 1950
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Uppsala, SE
Alvar Aalto chair model 65, for Artek. This is from the much sought after Swedish production made in the city of Hedemora, between 1946-1956. Frame of steam bent birch. The Hedemora ...
Birch
Rare Alvar Aalto Stool X602 with Fan Leg and Black Leather, Artek 1950s
By Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
Alvar Aalto stool model X602, manufactured in Finland by Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab back in the 1950s. A rare model, the X-leg stool is one of the simplest yet most brillia...
Leather, Bentwood
Very Rare "Sandwich" Stool 60 Alvar Aalto 1930s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Kiiminki, FI
Very Rare stool 60 "Sandwich" Alvar Aalto. Manufactured by Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1930s. The upholstery of the stool is original. Over the years the seat was upholstered...
Birch
Side Chair, Alvar Aalto for Artek, Finland, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
This side chair, designed by Alvar Aalto and produced in Finland, reflects the designer’s distinctive approach to combining organic forms with practical function. Its softly curved s...
Wood
Alvar Aalto Armchair Model 401 in Birch and Honey Sheepskin, Artek 1950s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful original Alvar Aalto armchair model 401, which was first designed in 1933. The 401 chair was part of the iconic Paimio Sanatorium that basically launched the Aalto name t...
Fabric, Birch
Alvar Aalto Model 31 Cantilever Chair, Birch Plywood, 1930s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in San Francisco, CA
Alvar Aalto cantilever chair, model 31. A very rare 1st edition model 31 lounge chair by Alvar Aalto in birch plywood with a floating bac...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Model 60 Stackable Stool for Finsven 1940s
By Finsven, Alvar Aalto
Located in San Diego, CA
A vintage Alvar Aalto model 60 birch stool. Birch bentwood legs with Aalto’s signature feathered bentwood leg design. Swedish production Finsven from the late 1940s. Great patina, ...
Birch
$1,637Sale Price|30% Off
Alvar Aalto Sandwich Chair model 69 by Artek 1940s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek chair model 69 with rare sandwich structure in the seat, designed by Alvar Aalto. The chair is from around 1940s. Later white paint and blue-white upholstery. In good used cond...
Birch, Fabric
Early Finnish Mid Century Wooden "No 51 / Hallway" Armchair by Alvar Aalto 1930s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
A very rare and early Finnish mid century wooden "No 51 / Hallway" armchair in form pressed laminated plywood and birch by Alvar Aalto for the Paimio Sanatorium in Finland in 1932. ...
Birch
Set of 4 Alvar Aalto Stackable 3 Legged Stools Model 60 in Brich, Artek 1930s
By Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
A set of the iconic model 60 stools designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek. Inspired by the clean lines and organic forms of nature, the Alvar Aalto Model 60 Stool is a timeless piece of ...
Birch
Rare Alvar Aalto Armchair No. 31, early 1930s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Alvar Aalto armchair No. 31. Produced by Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Oy Turku, produced early 1930s.. Bent laminated birch frame, seat in laminated birch root veneer.
Birch
$3,200 / set
Model 406 Lounge Chairs by Alvar Aalto for Artek
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. Denmark. Price is for the set. Contact us if you’d like to purchase a single item. Previous mark where ICF label was is pictured for both chairs.
Cotton, Birch
Alvar Aalto, Pair of X601 Stools with Fan Legs & Brown Leather, Artek 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
This stool was designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek originally in the 1950s. We have noticed throughout the years that this stool has been often used as a bed side table. It can also b...
Leather, Birch
Alvar Aalto Stool 60 by Artek in 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek 60 stool, birch with red linoleum. The stool is from the 1950s. Designer Alvar Aalto. Good used condition. The Artek Stool 60, designed by Alvar Aalto in 1933, is one of the m...
Birch
Alvar Aalto, rare variation of the model 46 for Artek, circa 1960.
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Hägersten-Liljeholmen, Stockholms län
Rare variation of the model 46 designed by Alvar Aalto in the 40's and produced by Artek in Finland in the same era. The chairs is composed by two extremly rare armrest. It has been ...
Fabric, Birch
Alvar Aalto Easy Chair Nr 31 Produced by O.y Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare easy chair model nr 31 designed by Alvar Aalto. Produced by O.y Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas in Finland.
Birch
Alvar Aalto Paimio Chair 41
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Los Angeles, CA
wonderful Paimio armchair 41 by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Finland, in natural birch wood with black bentwood seat with venting slots. The laminated birch frame is bent into a closed cur...
Birch
Pair of Vintage Upholstered Hallway Chairs 54/404 by Alvar Aalto, Circa 1950s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Surrey, GB
A stunning pair of stackable Alvar Aalto chair 54/404, a padded variant of hallway chair 403 designed in 1932. Very good vintage condition. Dimen...
Upholstery, Birch
Early Alvar Aalto 'Hallway' Chair 'Model 403' for Finmar
By Finmar, Alvar Aalto
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Finmar Model 403 'Hallway' chair designed by Alvar Aalto and produced from 1930 through 1950 in Finland. The chair features a honey toned birch wood with bent plywood seat and backre...
Birch, Plywood
Unique "Aalto Goes High II" Stool by Sheikki on an Alvar Aalto Model 60, 2025
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
A unique contemporary artwork executed in acrylic on an original Alvar Aalto Model 60 birch stool. Although based on one of the most iconic furniture designs of the twentieth century...
Birch, Acrylic
Alvar Aalto Chair 69 by Artek 1940s-1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek 69 chair, birch with red upholstery. The chair is from around 1940-1950. Old Artek stamp on the base. Gorgeous patina on the wooden parts. Later upholstery. Designer Alvar Aalto.
Fabric, Birch
$2,200 / set
Alvar Aalto, Stools, Birch, Finland, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of red-laminated birch stools designed by Alvar Aalto and produced by Artek, Finland, c. 1950s. Seat height is 17.5"
Birch
Rare Armchair 'Small Paimio' Model 42 Designed by Alvar Aalto, Finland, 1932
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare armchair 'Small Paimio' model 42 designed by Alvar Aalto, Finland, 1932. Painted birch veneer and bent plywood. Stamped. H: 61.5 cm W: 60.5 cm D: 78 cm SH: 37 cm A...
Birch, Plywood
Set of 6 Alvar Aalto 3 Legged Stackable Birch Stools Model. 60, Artek 1930s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
These six Alvar Aalto iconic stools from 1930s are beautiful and space saving furniture pieces of timeless design. The legs are mounted directly to the underside of the round seat wi...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Y61 Stool
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Highland, IN
Designed in 1947, Alvar Aalto's Y61 stool required a special technique to create the unique Y-leg. This vintage example was sold in the US by ICF and has a rich patina attesting to y...
Canvas, Birch
$59,040
Rare Sofa by Alvar Aalto
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Rare sofa by Alvar Aalto. Finland, 1956. Provenance: Kansanela¨kelaitos (The Social Insurance Institution of Finland). Example provided with original label....
Brass
$9,000Sale Price|40% Off
'Tank' Settee by Alvar Aalto
By Alvar Aalto
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Alvar Aalto and produced by Mouldcraft c.1950s, Canada. The Tank sofa is a rare design featuring a cantilevered frame in a bent birch wood that g...
Upholstery, Birch
Checkerboard Bench 153A by Alvar Aalto for Artek/Supreme
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 2017. Finland. Extremely rare collaboration between Supreme and Artek
Birch
Alvar Aalto Armchair model 46 by Artek in 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Alvar Aalto's armchair model 46 by Artek, birch with original black leather upholstery. The chair is from around 1950s and is in good used condition.
Birch, Leather
Dining Set Designed by Alvar Aalto for Finmar Ltd., Finland, 1929
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Dining set designed by Alvar Aalto for Finmar Ltd., Finland, 1929. Birch. Stamped. This rare dining set by the Finish design icon Alvar Aalto is character...
Birch
Funky Alvar Aalto Stool Model 60
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Kangasala, FI
Early iconic Alvar Aalto's stool 60 from the 1940's with beautiful and warm patina on the L-legs. Reupholstered with funky and colorful fabric. The color scheme that takes your mind...
Wool, Birch
Alvar Aalto 'Ritiläpenkki' Birch Bench Model 153B, Artek 1970s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
Iconic bench model 153 designed by Alvar Aalto and manufactured by Artek in the 1960s. The bench is in very good original condition. As with a lot of Alvar Aalto's works the beauty c...
Birch
Set of 2 Mid Century Easy Chairs by Alvar Aalto, 1933
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
This rare pair of model 402 easy chairs, designed by Alvar Aalto and produced by Artek in Finland, represents a seminal achievement in early Scandinavian modernism. The chairs showca...
Fabric, Birch, Wool
Alvar Aalto Hallway Armchair Model 403 in Birch & Yellow, Artek 2008
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful Alvar Aalto model 403 hallway chair, originally designed for the legendary Paimio Sanatorium, one of the masterpieces of 20th-century architecture. This example was manuf...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Hallway Armchair Model 403 in Birch & Orange, Artek 2008
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful Alvar Aalto model 403 hallway chair, originally designed for the legendary Paimio Sanatorium, one of the masterpieces of 20th-century architecture. This example was manuf...
Birch
Pair of Alvar Aalto Hallway Armchairs Model 403 in Birch & Yellow, Artek 2008
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful pair of Alvar Aalto model 403 hallway chairs, originally designed for the legendary Paimio Sanatorium, one of the masterpieces of 20th-century architecture. These example...
Birch
Adjustable Paimio Daybed by Alvar Aalto
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1932. Finland. From the Paimio Sanitorium outdoor deck
Metal
Alvar Aalto Stool X600 in Birch and Original Black Leather, Artek, 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful model X600 stool designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek in the 1960s in Finland. Even though simple, this stool comes with great quality and attention to detail. The less comm...
Leather, Birch
Pair of Alvar Aalto Hallway Armchairs Model 403 in Birch & Orange, Artek 2008
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful pair of Alvar Aalto model 403 hallway chairs, originally designed for the legendary Paimio Sanatorium, one of the masterpieces of 20th-century architecture. These example...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Pair of Cantilever Armchairs M. 401 Green Buffalo Check, Artek 1950s
By Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful pair of mid-century Alvar Aalto cantilever 'spring' chairs model 401. This chair is similar to the iconic one known as Pikkupaimio (small paimio) but with a higher back a...
Metal
Alvar Aalto Zebra Hide Lounge Chairs Danish Modern Midcentury Design for Artek
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Atlanta, GA
Tall back cantilevered lounge chairs in zebra hide, designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Finland, originally designed circa 1930s, these examples are circa 1950s. They are a near pair ...
Zebra Hide, Wood, Birch
Rare Alvar Aalto 'Chair of Our Times' 'Aikaamme Tuote' in Stained Birch, 1929
By Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
This minimalist functionalist chair known as "The product of our time", is a rare gem and is the first chair born of the Alvar Aalto - Otto Korhone...
Birch
Alvar Aalto / Otto Korhonen, Birch and Plywood Armchair Model 50101, 1929-30
By Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
This extremely rare solid birch and bent birch plywood armchair was designed by Finnish architect Alvar Aalto and Otto Korhonen, who was one of the best known Finnish cabinetmakers a...
Plywood, Birch
Alvar Aalto's iconic Stool 60, from Artek 1950s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Alvar Aalto's iconic Stool 60, from Artek 1950s, s the epitome of minimalistic furniture, versatile enough to serve as a seat, a table, a storage unit, or even a display surface. Thi...
Birch
$1,925Sale Price / item|25% Off
Model 46 Armchair with Floral Fabric, Alvar Aalto, 1930/1940s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Model 46 armchair, designed by Alvar Aalto, 1930/1940s. Stained birch frame with kerni wrapped handles. Later reupholstered with quality fabric. Good vintage condition, minor patina ...
Fabric, Birch
Lounge Chairs, Early Aalto Production for Stylclair, France, 1930s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Boom, Vlaams Gewest
These exceptional lounge chairs belong to the early period of Alvar Aalto’s bentwood production in France. In the early 1930s, Aalto’s curved plywood designs began circulating across...
Rope, Wood, Bentwood
Finnish Wooden Children Low Stools in Bent Birch by Alvar Aalto & Artek Finland
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare set of four Finnish wooden four legged low children stools in bent birch by Alvar Aalto produced by Artek Finland ca 1980s. In good original and matching condition with natural ...
Birch
Model 66 dining chairs by Alvar Aalto for Artek, 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Mid century dining room chairs designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek. The set consists of 5 model66 dining chairs. Beautifully crafted solid birch frames. Good condition 1960s - Fin...
Birch
Rare Variant Model 41 Paimio Sanatorium Armchair Chair by Alvar Aatlo c. 1960s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Oakland, CA
Model No 41 Paimio armchair in molded birch plywood designed by Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. With a black lacquered molded plywood seat and natural finish molded arms creating a ve...
Birch, Lacquer
Armchair 42 “Little Paimio” Designed by Alvar Aalto, Finland, 1931
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Armchair 42 “Small Paimio” designed by Alvar Aalto, Finland, 1931. Bent birch and lacquered plywood. Dimesnions: H: 63 cm/ 2' 1" W: 60 cm/ 1' 11 1/2" D: ...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Scandinavian Modern Vintage Duo Pair Birch Red Laminate 1935 Finland
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Vienna, AT
Alvar Aalto Scandinavian modern vintage authentic duo pair model 66 from lacquered birch and red laminate 1930s, Finland. An early model chair 66 by Alvar Aalto for Artek with great ...
Laminate, Birch
Alvar Aalto Stool X602 by Artek in 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek X602 stool, design by Alvar Aalto. Birch with black faux leather upholstery, beautiful fan legs, and wonderful patina of time. The stool is from 1950s, and has original upholst...
Birch, Faux Leather
Set of Four Dining Side Chairs by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Finland 1940's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in New York, NY
Set of four Alvar Aalto model laminated birch dining chairs produced by Artek in the late 1940's. Fabric is original. Chairs' upholstery frame requires rework.
Upholstery, Birch
Checkerboard Stool 60 by Alvar Aalto for Artek/Supreme
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 2017. Finland. Extremely rare collaboration between Supreme and Artek
Birch