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.
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Alvar Aalto For Finsven Birch Drop-Leaf Dining Table
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This drop-leaf, gatefold birch, dining table was designed by the Finnish designer Alvar Aalto and retailed by Finsven in the late 1940s. This early model has two drop-leaves that can...
Birch
Model DL82 Drop-leaf Table, Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustytehdas Ab
By Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Model DL82 drop-leaf table, designed by Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustytehdas Ab, 1950/960s. Birch frame, red linoleum table top. Birch parts restored. Good ...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Drop-leaf Table by Artek 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek drop-leaf table, design by Alvar Aalto. The table has cream linoleum top. The table is from around 1950s, in original condition, in really good shape and has beautiful patina o...
Birch
1950's Alvar Aalto's Dropleaf Table Model DLC81 Red Linoleum Top
By Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto
Located in Kangasala, FI
Dropleaf table designed by Alvar Aalto in the 1933. This table is manufactured in the 1950's by Artek. Red linoleum top and beautiful yellow color on the birch parts of the table. ...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Drop-leaf Table by Artek 1960s Finland Vintage Original
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek folding table, birch with white laminate. Designer Alvar Aalto. The table is from the 1960s. Good used condition. Surface wear on the laminate surface that feels rough. Size o...
Birch, Laminate
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
Model 900 Tea Cart, Alvar Aalto, Artek, 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
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
Alvar Aalto Side Table Model A86 in Honey Birch, Artek, 1940s
By Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Artek
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
$6,446
H 28.35 in W 39.38 in D 23.23 in
Alvar Aalto Writing Table Model K81 in Birch & Red Linoleum, Artek 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Artek
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
$2,113
H 22.05 in W 39.38 in D 20.87 in
Rare Vintage Coffee Table by Artek, Teak & Birch, Finland, circa 1960s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Karis, Nyland
A rare vintage coffee table produced by Artek in Finland, dating to the late 1950s–1960s. The table combines a warm teak tabletop with solid birch legs, a material pairing characteri...
Wood, Birch, Teak
Serving trolley 901 by Alvar Aalto, Artek Finland
By Aino Aalto, Artek
Located in Argelato, BO
Alvar Aalto's 901 trolley is one of the icons of Finnish modern design, presented for the first time at the Milan Triennale in 1936. The bar or tea trolley features a birch wood frame and white linoleum-covered trays. Soberly elegant, the Aalto trolley...
Rubber, Birch
Alvar Aalto Table in Birch & Blue Linoleum, Artek 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
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
$2,896
H 22.05 in W 23.63 in D 15.75 in
Alvar Aalto Side / Newspaper Table Model A 86 in Birch for Artek, 1930s
By Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto, Artek
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
$15,783 / set
H 28.35 in Dm 50.4 in
Alvar Aalto Dining Table with Lazy Susan B91 and 6 Chairs Model 66, Artek, 1940s
By Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
This dining set is in beautiful condition. The table without the serving board "Lazy Susan" is model A 91 ( with the serving board B 91 ), and the chairs are model no. 66 with the hi...
Glass, Birch, Bentwood
American Mahogany Drop Leaf table
Located in Huntington, NY
Late 18th Century Mahogany Drop leaf Table each side with Gate leg Carved edge & legs
Mahogany
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
$2,270
H 28.35 in W 48.04 in D 29.53 in
1970's alvar aalto 81B table with oak top manufactured by artek
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Tomi, Nagano
Alvar Aalto dining table, model no. 81B, with oak top and characteristic L‑leg base. This example features a beautifully aged oak top with a warm, even tone and visible grain, resti...
Birch, Oak