Alvar & Aino Aalto foldable table in birch with beautiful red linoleum surface, designed by Alvar Aalto and manufactured by Artek in the 1950s. The materials used by Artek were very durable and lasted for years and years in good condition regardless of extensive use, as is evident from this table.
The table has a foldable extension, so as to not take too much space in smaller kitchens or rooms. The table has sustained great original condition with some expected stains and markings on the linoleum that can be seen in the pictures and video.
The L-leg design makes this type table very easy to transport, as the legs can all be dismanteled and numbered so as the buyer re-assembels them again upon arrival. Actually that was probably on Alvar Aalto's mind as he designed the various L-leg furnitures at artek, as most of the customers were abroad anyhow.
Aino Aalto (1894-1949) was one of the most distinguished and innovative designers in 20th century Finland, yet her work is often overlooked. Aino was instrumental in creating many of the iconic furniture designs and architectural projects which were often completely attributed to her husband Alvar Aalto. She was also one of the founding members of the design company Artek. In reality the two of them had a very dynamic relationship that significantly influenced 20th century design in Finland.
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.
