Early Alvar Aalto Spring Chair Model 42, Bent Plywood and Birch, Artek 1940s

Rare version of one of the most iconic and finest furniture works from Alvar Aalto, the model 42 chair, also known as the spring chair, “Pikku Paimio” or Small Paimio in English. This model was originally created in the 1930s for the Paimion Parantola Tuberculosis Sanatorium, and helped pave the way for Alvar Aalto’s international breakthrough with his functionalist furniture design.

This chair is in fair condition as seen in the pictures. It was painted over at one point. The paint was removed to reveal the curly / silver birch seat which is a much rarer version of this chair. The lower part of the seat also had 4 nails that have been removed. Also can be seen in the pictures. Despite the mentioned, the chair is very sturdy and can be taken into use. A beautiful example of an iconic piece of furniture.

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.