Alvar Aalto
Depth - 43 cm - 17 inches
Height - 57 cm - 22½ inches
Produced by Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Oy Turku, Finland
Further images
A rare original pair of Alvar Aalto Side Tables, Model 88, designed in 1933 and produced in Finland by Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Oy, Turku.
The tables were imported and distributed in Britain by Finmar and both retain their original Finmar labels, dating the pair to between 1933 and 1938. Sharing the same provenance and having remained together throughout their lives, they are a very good example of an original pair of early pre-war Aalto furniture.
Constructed entirely from birch and birch-veneered plywood, each rectangular top is supported on Aalto’s characteristic bent birch L-legs. The construction is beautifully simple, with the pale birch and softly curved legs providing almost all of the visual character of the design.
A clever feature of the Model 88 is that the tables can be stacked, with the simple open construction allowing one table to sit neatly above the other. Used separately, their compact proportions make them equally practical as a pair of bedside tables or as side tables alongside a sofa or pair of chairs.
We have dealt in Alvar Aalto furniture for many years and have also collected his work ourselves. Finding an original pair such as this, retaining both Finmar labels and sharing the same provenance, is especially appealing.
The tables have aged beautifully and retain the warm colour and patina that have developed through decades of use. There are small dings, dents, marks and signs of previous use throughout, as we would expect from pieces of this period. For us, these details are an important part of their character, and the pair is presented in excellent vintage condition.
Viewing is warmly welcomed at our West London showroom.
High-resolution photographs, detailed condition reports and video inspections are available upon request.
We offer local, national and international shipping.
Please contact us for further information or to arrange a private viewing.
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