A rare early Alvar and Aino Aalto Model A91 Lazy Susan, designed in 1933 and produced in Finland by Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Oy, Turku.

The A91 was designed to accompany Aalto’s circular Model 91 dining table, sitting freely on the tabletop and rotating to allow dishes and serving pieces to be passed easily around the table. While the Model 91 tables occasionally appear on the market, finding an original 1930s A91 Lazy Susan independently of its table is considerably less common.

This example is finished in richly figured Karelian birch veneer, an optional and more expensive finish when new than standard birch. The figuring is exceptionally pronounced across the broad circular surface, with the irregular grain giving considerable depth and variation to the timber.

The raised outer rim is also finished in Karelian birch and retains its original surface. Beneath, the original circular rotating platform and mechanism remain in place and work exactly as they should.

The piece has a documented auction history, having previously been sold at Christie’s in 1996. The Christie’s archive continues to record the piece as an Alvar Aalto birch Lazy Susan, measuring 55 cm in diameter. When we acquired it, the underside still retained its old Christie’s sale label. Unfortunately, the paper label subsequently detached during cleaning, but the Christie’s auction record remains available in their online archive.

The Lazy Susan has been carefully cleaned and waxed and remains in excellent original condition. The Karelian birch veneer and finish are original, with only very minor signs of age and use. The remarkable preservation of the surface suggests that it has received relatively little use during its life, possibly having spent some time independently of its accompanying table.

The rotating mechanism works smoothly and the piece is structurally excellent. We have deliberately done no refinishing or unnecessary restoration, preserving the original surfaces and the unusually fresh condition of the Karelian birch.

We have dealt in Alvar Aalto furniture for many years and have also collected his work ourselves. For us, this is an especially appealing example: an original 1930s A91 in the rarer Karelian birch finish, surviving independently of its Model 91 table in excellent original 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.