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.
Rare Wall Shelves in Birch by by Alvar Aalto, 1940s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
These rare wall shelves, designed by Alvar Aalto and produced by Artek in Finland, exemplify the enduring appeal of Scandinavian modernism through their organic form, functional eleg...
Birch
$4,871 / set
Artek coat rack pair, Alvar Aalto, 1940s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Two vintage Artek coat racks with peg joints, designed by Alvar Aalto. Dating from around the 1940s, they are in good, used condition. Sold as a pair; the price includes both coat ra...
Birch
Alvar Aalto, pair of shelves model 112B for Artek
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Firenze, IT
FOUR SHELVES MODEL 112B in birch Artek production, Finland, circa 1960 Bibliography for comparison T. Keinanen, P. Korvenmaa, K. Mikonranta, A. Olafsdottir, Alvar Aalto and the O...
Birch
Coat Rack by Alvar Aalto for Artek 1950s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek coat rack, designed by Alvar Aalto. The coat rack is from around the 1950s. It has a great patina and it shows nicely traces of life from decades. The coat rack has old Artek s...
Metal
Alvar Aalto Shelf for Artek 1940s Finland
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
An old shelf designed by Alvar Aalto, dating from around the 1940s or 1950s and manufactured by Artek. The shelf features a dowel-jointed construction and bent side brackets. It is i...
Birch
Pair of Blue Velvet Wall Shelves or Brackets
Located in New York, NY
Pair of blue velvet wall shelves or brackets. Handmade and covered in silk-rayon velvet. Measures: 12" x 6" x 9" H each.
Velvet, Wood
$2,501
H 26 in W 33.1 in D 5.5 in
Antique Arts & Crafts Oak Wall Coat Rack with Water Lily Tiles and Mirror
Located in Lisse, NL
Handcrafted Arts & Crafts wall coat rack in solid oak, enriched with a striking row of relief-moulded majolica tiles depicting white water lilies floating on deep blue water. Dating from the early 1900s, this large and highly decorative hall rack combines several practical functions in one beautifully composed design. The upper shelf provides space for hats or decorative objects, while the numerous antique metal hooks offer ample room for coats, hats and scarves. The hooks are not original to the rack. They were added and repositioned at some point in the past, probably to make the piece more practical for everyday use. Four of the larger hooks have sculptural lion-mask mounts and elegantly elongated arms, while three smaller double hooks are fitted along the shaped lower section. At the centre is an oval mirror with a broad hand-bevelled edge. It is surrounded by a decorative border of small applied floral ornaments. The shaped lower oak section, stepped side brackets and exposed construction details are all characteristic of the Arts & Crafts period. The warm grain and colour of the oak combine beautifully with the turquoise, cobalt blue, white, yellow and green glazes of the water-lily tiles. These deeply modelled majolica tiles give the piece exceptional colour and decorative presence. A rare, substantial and highly usable antique hall rack...
Metal, Bronze
$1,344 / item
H 3.15 in Dm 21.66 in
Tableau Wall Decoration Shelf Designed by Sara Ferrari for Mingardo
By Mingardo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tableau is a functional painting, a wall decoration designed to frame everyday objects. MATERIALS: Iron with brassed details SIZE: Ø 55 cm
Brass, Iron
$1,250 / set
H 13.78 in W 11.82 in D 31.5 in
Marcello Siard for Kartell Set of 6 Black Plastic Shelves, Italy 1970s
By Marcello Siard, Kartell
Located in Naples, IT
Set of six shelves with asymmetrical plastic profile in black, designed by Marcello Siard for Kartell in the 1970s, are of two sizes 4 small (cm.35x44x30) and two large (cm. 35x80x30...
Plastic
$1,438
H 19 in W 39 in D 6.5 in
Large Size and Hand Carved Art Deco Wall Coat Rack with Bull Elephant in Relief
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning, solid oak coat rack with rare wildlife scene. In the beginning of the 20th century only very few people would have ever seen an elephant in real life. Since artists such as painters, carvers, sculptors and all other kinds of craftsman starting traveling the world they would come back with memories and impressions that they incorporated in their work. The craftsman who created this unique coat rack...
Brass
A Pair of Carved Gilt Wood Wall Shelves
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A pair of giltwood wheat motif wall shelves, Italy, mid 20th Century, the good size measuring 15 inches high, 12.5 inches wide, and 6 iches deep.
Giltwood
$29,742
H 92.92 in W 138.19 in D 14.18 in
Wall shelves 'Mi 1050' Designed by Bruno Mathsson for Firma Karl Mathsson
By Bruno Mathsson, Firma Karl Mathsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Model Mi 1050 is a wall-mounted shelving system designed by Bruno Mathsson and produced by Karl Mathsson in Värnamo during the 1960s. Crafted in birch and pine, the system is defined...
Steel
Pair 19th Century Japanese Wall Shelves
Located in Houston, TX
Late 19th Century Japanese carved wood wall shelves with inlay and painted foliage motifs.
Wood
$3,810 / set
H 4.73 in W 27.96 in D 7.88 in
Pair of Solid French Oak Shelves by Guillerme & Chambron - France 1960's
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in New York, NY
Pair of matching solid French oak shelves by Guillerme & Chambron - France 1960s. Good vintage condition. These shelves will ship from France and can be returned to either France or ...
Oak
Pair Of Italian Gilt Rope And Tassel Wall Shelves
Located in New York, NY
Pair Italian Gilt Rope and Tassel Wall Shelves with new glass. Scrolled sides. Perfect for bathroom, Very sturdy and stylish
Iron
$525
H 46.75 in W 31.5 in D 12.75 in
Mid-Century Oak & Teak Wall Mount Coat Rack w/ Hat Shelf & Black Enamel Hooks
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wall-mounted coat rack from the Mid-Century era combines white oak with functional black enameled metal hooks. The design features a practical upper hat shelf supported by vertical m...
Metal, Enamel
Pierre Chapo 'B17' Handcrafted Elm Shelf for Chapo Création
By Pierre Chapo, Chapo Creation
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pierre Chapo 'B17' Handcrafted Elm Shelf for Chapo Création. Pierre Chapo was one of France’s most celebrated modern woodworkers and furniture designers. His sculptural and organic ...
Hardwood, Elm
$2,364Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 10.63 in W 8.47 in D 4.73 in
Pair of Spanish Foliage Wall Brackets / Shelves in Carved Giltwood, 1930s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Pair of carved giltwood wall consoles or bracket shelves, Spain, 1930s. Carved Wood, Giltwood, Gold Leaf Antique Spanish Neoclassical Revival Giltwood Wall Brackets. These stunning o...
Gold Leaf
Wall shelf by Hans J. Wegner for Ry Møbler, Denmark, 1950s
By Hans J. Wegner, Ry Møbler
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Wall-mounted shelf designed by Hans J. Wegner and produced by Ry Møbler. A small and comparatively uncommon model, executed in solid wood with shaped side panels and a horizontal b...
Oak
Edward Wormley Long John Shelf for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Long John Shelf can be used as shelf or console. Walnut wood with great sapwood striped details.
Walnut
Artek shelf, Alvar Aalto, 1940s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek shelf, designed by Alvar Aalto. The shelf dates from around the 1940s. Shows wear consistent with age.
Birch
Alvar Aalto Shelf Model 112B-3 by Artek 1960s Finland
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek 112B-3 shelf, birch. The shelf is from the 1960s. Good used condition. Old Artek stamp on the back of the shelf.
Birch
Alvar Aalto Shelf Model 112B-3 by Artek 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek shelf model 112B-3, birch. Shelf is from the 1960s and in good condition. Design by Alvar Aalto. The shelf has been restored.
Birch
Alvar Aalto Coat Rack by Artek 1940s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek coat rack, designed by Alvar Aalto. The coat rack is estimated to be from the 1940s. It has a great patina and it shows nicely traces of life from decades.
Birch
Alvar Aalto Coat Rack model 109C by Artek 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek coat rack model 109C, designed by Alvar Aalto. The coat rack is from around the 1960s, and it has a wonderful patina.
Birch
Alvar Aalto Coat Rack by Artek 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek coat rack, designed by Alvar Aalto. The coat rack is from around the 1960s, and it has a wonderful patina. The coat rack has also flamed birch on it, which makes this piece qui...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Artek 112B-2 Shelf 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek shelf model 112B-2, birch. Shelf is from the 1960s and in good original condition. Design by Alvar Aalto. There is an old Artek stamp in the back of ...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Wall Console Artek 114A
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Alvar Aalto wall console with two drawers, model 114A, manufactured by Artek in circa 1940s. Artek's stamp from 1930s-1950s on the back of the console. The console has beautiful pati...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Shelves Model 112B in Birch, Artek, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Odense, DK
Set of 4 early Alvar Aalto wall shelves model "112B" in patinated birch. Beautiful warm and deep patina to the wood. The Alvar Aalto wall shelf ...
Birch
Sold
H 11.82 in W 31.5 in D 10.63 in
Rare Set of 4 Alvar Aalto 'Peg' Wall Shelves Model 112, Artek 1930s-40s.
By Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful set of 4 Alvar Aalto wall shelves model 112. These shelves with the pegs are much rarer than the normal ones, not to mention a set...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Wall Shelves
By Alvar Aalto
Located in San Francisco, CA
Alvar Aalto design wall shelves, model 112b. Super simple yet sophisticated shelves that are timeless classics by one of the masters of Scandinavian design. Warm patina with age appr...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Coat Rack for Artek, Mid-1900s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Alvar Aalto coat rack for Artek from the mid-1900s. Birch with metal details. Classic Alvar Aalto design. Good vintage condition, minor wear consistent with age and use.
Metal
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
8 Alvar Aalto Wall Shelves
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Aalto wall mounted shelves in laminated birch.Manufactured by Artek of Finland. 8 available. Priced per shelf.
8 Alvar Aalto Wall Shelves
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Aalto wall mounted shelves in laminated birch.Manufactured by Artek of Finland. 8 available. Priced per shelf.