Alvar Aalto ‘Ritiläpenkki’ Birch Bench Model 153B, Artek 1970s

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 comes from the simplicity and functionalism. This plain bench has been one of the most wanted Aalto pieces since it came into production at Artek.

We have often noticed that these benches are mainly used in hallways, lobbies, as well as bedrooms. Although we have noticed a few on balconies, used as flower stands. What ever you decide to use it for, one thing you can be sure of, and that is its sturdiness.

Alvar Aalto (1898-1976) is a world famous architect and designer. He was well known for designing his own line of furniture and lighting for the numerous buildings that he designed worldwide. His work includes architecture, furniture, textiles, glassware, sculptures and paintings. He never regarded himself as an artist, seeing painting and sculpture as branches of a tree that stem from architecture.

Aalto’s career from the 1920s-1970s is reflected in the styles of his work, ranging from Classicism to Modernism and to an organic style from the 1940s onwards. Aalto and his wife Aino were famous for not only designing the buildings, but the interior surfaces, furniture, lamps and even the glassware for those buildings. Aalto’s furniture designs are Scandinavian Modernism at its best, especially his technical innovations on the bent plywood furniture, which in turn had a great impact on Mid-Century Modernist furniture.

Aalto’s works are highly sought after and some fetch record prices in auctions and the design world. Of course his works are also widely collected and can be found in numerous private collections and famous museums.