Alvar Aalto

ALVAR AALTO (Kuortane, Finland, 1898–Helsinki, 1976)
Stool 60, designed in 1933
Produced by Artek, 1950s.
Birch and red linoleum.
In good condition, with visible signs of wear consistent with its age and use.
A matching coffee table is available.
Measurements: 44 cm high × 35 cm in diameter.

The Stool 60 is one of the great icons of Finnish design. Its circular seat rests on three distinctive L-shaped curved birch legs, a technical innovation patented by Aalto in 1933 that has become one of Artek’s hallmarks. Its simplicity allows it to be used as a seat, side table, or stackable piece. The red linoleum adds a warm touch of color that contrasts with the light wood. The patina and signs of wear that have been preserved reinforce the authentic character of this 1950s piece.

Architect and designer Alvar Aalto humanized the Modern Movement through the use of natural materials, organic forms, and functional solutions. The Stool 60 is part of the collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, an institution that houses a prominent selection of his work.