Exceptionally Rare Aino Aalto Chair Model 3920, Birch & White Wool

An exceptionally rare armchair designed by Aino Aalto in 1938, this iconic modernist piece is one of only three examples we know of —with counterparts residing in a private collection and the Aalto Museum in Finland. Produced in two distinct versions, this is the larger iteration featuring the distinctive “wing back” silhouette, crafted by Oy Ekwall Ab in Pori, the workshop responsible for some of the limited-edition Artek furniture.

Dating to the early 1940s, the chair showcases Aalto’s mastery of bentwood construction, with elegantly curved armrests, legs, and a sculptural winged backrest. Expertly reupholstered in a period-appropriate wool fabric (see archive photo from the Aalto Museum), it remains a testament to timeless Scandinavian design.

A rare opportunity to acquire a historic design icon—equally suited for collectors and discerning interiors. This chair promises to command attention as a focal point in any setting.

Aino Aalto (1894–1949) was a trailblazing Finnish architect and designer whose work left an indelible mark on modernist design. Alongside her husband, the famed architect Alvar Aalto, she became a central figure in the functionalist movement, blending practicality with elegant simplicity. Her contributions extended beyond architecture into furniture, glassware, and interior design, where her keen eye for form and function helped define Scandinavian modernism.

Aino co-founded Artek in 1935, a revolutionary design company that promoted avant-garde furniture and homeware. The studio became synonymous with timeless pieces like the curvilinear Aalto Vase (Savoy Vase) and sleek wooden furniture, which remain design icons today. Her own creations, such as the delicate Bölgeblick glass series, showcased her ability to merge beauty with everyday usability.

As one of Finland’s first female architects, Aino broke barriers in a male-dominated profession, leaving a legacy that transcends her collaboration with Alvar. Her work emphasized natural materials, organic shapes, and human-centered design—principles that continue to inspire contemporary Nordic aesthetics. Though her life was cut short at age 54, her influence endures in the enduring appeal of Artek’s designs and the broader canon of modernist architecture.