Model 66 Dining Chairs in Natural Bent Birch Plywood by Alvar Aalto for Artek 1930s, Set of 4

Model · Model 66
Designer · Alvar Aalto
Manufacturer · Artek
Origin · Finland
Period · 1930s
Style · Scandinavian Modern / Functionalism
Materials · Bent birch plywood
Colour · Natural birch

Object

Model 66 belongs to the moment when modern furniture stopped needing to look industrial.

Designed by Alvar Aalto in 1935, the chair translated the principles of European modernism into something distinctly Finnish. Instead of tubular steel and rigid geometry, Aalto worked with birch, bending wood into structural curves that could be industrially produced while retaining warmth and tactility.

The chair is built around Aalto's celebrated L-leg construction, where the legs bend directly into the seat rather than relying on a conventional supporting frame. Above it, the higher curved backrest gives Model 66 a more upright and architectural character while preserving the remarkable simplicity of the construction.

In natural birch, the idea becomes especially clear. Structure, surface and colour are almost the same thing. There is very little decoration because the construction itself provides the identity.

As a set of four, the chairs create a quiet rhythm around a dining table, recognisably Aalto without demanding attention.

Designer

Alvar Aalto (1898–1976) was a Finnish architect and designer whose work fundamentally changed the direction of modern architecture and furniture.

Rather than accepting the hard industrial language of early European modernism, Aalto introduced natural materials, organic geometry and a more human relationship between objects and their users. His experiments with laminated and bent birch during the 1930s produced an entirely new vocabulary for modern furniture.

Model 66 emerged from this period of experimentation and shares its construction principles with some of Aalto's most important furniture designs. What appears remarkably simple is the result of a much larger idea: modern furniture could be rational and reproducible without sacrificing warmth.

Manufacturer

Artek was founded in Helsinki in 1935 by Alvar Aalto, Aino Aalto, Maire Gullichsen and Nils-Gustav Hahl.

More than a furniture manufacturer, Artek was conceived as a platform for a new culture of modern living, bringing together furniture, architecture, exhibitions and art. Aalto's furniture formed the foundation of its collection, and Model 66 remains part of the design language that established Artek internationally.

Condition

The birch plywood structures and seating surfaces have been carefully preserved and remain in great vintage condition.

The wood displays light traces of age and use consistent with vintage furniture while retaining its structural integrity, natural character and visual clarity.

Dimensions

Width · 39 cm / 15.4 in
Depth · 42 cm / 16.5 in
Height · 78 cm / 30.7 in
Seat height · 45 cm / 17.7 in

Included

The set of four dining chairs is accompanied by a Back to the Furniture Certificate of Originality, a Back to the Furniture flyer, a Thank You card and a small gift.

Availability

The chairs can be ready to ship within 15–20 business days.

Shipping

Worldwide shipping is available. Every piece is carefully prepared and packed for international transport. Shipping costs are calculated according to destination at checkout, with tracking provided after dispatch.

Enquiries

For questions about the pieces, their condition, shipping, delivery or any other details, please get in touch. Additional information is always available before purchase.

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