Sell with us.

We are inviting consignment submissions for Alvar Aalto

Alvar Aalto

Finnish • 1898-1976

Biography

In contrast with the functionalism of the International Style (as well the neoclassicism put forward by the Nazi and Soviet regimes), Alvar Aalto brought a refreshing breath of humanism to modern design: "True architecture exists only where man stands in the center," he wrote. Aalto designed furniture in stack-laminated plywood composed of Finnish birch, which was cost-effective and lent warmth to his interiors. Aalto also revived Finnish glass design with his entries in the various Karhula-Iitala glassworks competitions throughout the 1930s.

In 1936 he won first place for a collection of colorful, wavy vases in various sizes titled Eskimoerindens skinnbuxa (The Eskimo Woman’s Leather Breeches). The vases were an immediate success and the most popular size, now known as the "Savoy" vase, is still in production today. Aalto's freeform designs, in harmony with human needs and nature, anticipated the organic modernism of the 1950s and 1960s; in particular, his innovations in bent plywood had a major impact on designers such as Charles and Ray Eames.

Insights

Phillips achieved £18,750 in April 2014 for an early "Savoy" vase, a world auction record for glass by Alvar Aalto.
Phillips achieved £56,450 in September 2012 for a group of three early "Beehive" ceiling lights, a world auction record for lighting by Alvar Aalto.

"Nearly every design task involves tens, often hundreds, sometimes thousands of different contradictory elements, which are forced into a functional harmony only by man's will."

Past Lots

46
Alvar Aalto
Floor lamp, model no. A811
Estimate £6,000 - 8,000
Sold for £6,350
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
117
Alvar Aalto
Cabinet
Estimate £3,000 - 5,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
86
Alvar Aalto
Large folding screen
Estimate £5,000 - 7,000
Sold for £17,780
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
4
Alvar Aalto
Ceiling light, model no. A111
Estimate £2,500 - 3,500
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
4
Alvar Aalto
"Mehiläispesä (Beehive)" ceiling light, model no. A 331
Estimate $5,000 - 7,000
Sold for $6,930
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
5
Alvar Aalto
'Angel's Wing' standard lamp, model no. A805
Estimate £4,000 - 6,000
Sold for £10,625
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
148
Alvar Aalto
Rare armchair, model no. 42
Estimate HK$40,000 - 60,000
Sold for HK$56,250
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
1
Alvar Aalto
Early and large "Mehiläispesä" (Beehive) ceiling light, model no. A 332, designed for the University of Jyväskylä
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000
Sold for $11,875
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
5
Alvar Aalto
Ceiling light, model no. A334
Estimate $800 - 1,200
Sold for $2,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
61
Alvar Aalto
Rare bench
Estimate $500 - 700
Sold for $1,500
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
96
Alvar Aalto
Early set of three hall shelves, model no. 113
Estimate $500 - 700
Sold for $750
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
157
Alvar Aalto
Pair of rare extendable "L-leg" tables
Estimate $7,000 - 9,000
Sold for $16,250
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
88
Alvar Aalto
Pair of "Paimio" armchairs, model no. 41
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $15,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
45
Alvar Aalto
"Mehiläispesä (Beehive)" ceiling light, model no. A 331
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
285
Alvar Aalto
Pair of door handles
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
16
Alvar Aalto
Pair of early and rare 'Cantilevered' armchairs, model no. 31/42
Estimate £15,000 - 20,000
Sold for £21,250
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
17
Alvar Aalto
Early and rare 'Angel's Wing' standard lamp, model no. A805
Estimate £8,000 - 10,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
180
Alvar Aalto
Standard lamp, model no. A 809
Estimate £7,000 - 9,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
41
Alvar Aalto
Pair of armchairs, model no. 48
Estimate £25,000 - 35,000
Sold for £31,250
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
42
Alvar Aalto
L-leg extendable dining table
Estimate $3,000 - 5,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
44
Alvar Aalto
Large folding screen
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
Sold for $15,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
45
Alvar Aalto
Dish, model no. 3035, from the "Eskimoerindens skinnbuxa" sketch series
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $3,750
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
46
Alvar Aalto
Vase, model no. 9750, from the "Eskimoerindens skinnbuxa" sketch series
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
Sold for $6,250
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
181
Alvar Aalto
Set of three ceiling lights, model no. A335
Estimate £6,000 - 8,000
Sold for £7,500
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.

;