An early 1930s example of Alvar Aalto’s Model 36 Highback Cantilever Armchair, designed in 1933 and produced in Finland by Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Oy, Turku.

This chair retains its original P.E. Gane retailer’s label. P.E. Gane of Bristol was one of the British retailers supplied by Finmar during the 1930s, when Aalto’s Finnish-made furniture was first being introduced to the British market.

The chair is constructed around two continuous laminated birch side frames, which form the cantilevered base before rising to create the arms and supports for the upholstered seat and high back. The long sweeping curves of the laminated birch give the chair a remarkably light appearance, despite its generous proportions and deeply reclined seating position.

The birch frame retains a warm, naturally aged surface and the patina expected of a chair of this age. There are small marks, dings and variations in colour throughout, but these sit comfortably within the age of the piece. The frame has been carefully cleaned and waxed rather than refinished, preserving the original surface and patina.

The chair has been fully reupholstered, with the webbing, springs and padding replaced before being finished in a cream alpaca from Rose Uniacke. The soft, lightly textured upholstery provides a restrained contrast with the warm tone of the original birch frame.

Structurally the chair is excellent and the laminated birch frame remains strong. The upholstery is new and the chair has not been used since the work was completed.

We have dealt in Alvar Aalto furniture for many years and have also collected his work ourselves. For us, the original P.E. Gane retailer’s label is an especially interesting feature of this chair, placing it within the early history of Aalto furniture being sold in Britain before the war. Combined with the preserved birch surface and sympathetic new upholstery, it is a very good example of an early Model 36.

Viewing is warmly welcomed at our West London showroom.

High-resolution photographs, detailed condition reports and video inspections are available upon request.

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Please contact us for further information or to arrange a private viewing.