Vintage Mid Century Alvar Aalto Paimio 41 Chair

When Alvar Aalto’s statement-making Armchair 41 “Paimio” premiered in 1932, it was hailed as a revolutionary interpretation of the club chair and set new standards in modern furniture design. The chair, which is an object in MoMA’s collection, combines a traditional outline with a light, organic form. Armchair 41’s seat is fixed to the design's frame at only four points, creating the delightful illusion that the seat is floating. This construction also provides an amazing degree of elasticity. The armrests are made from a single piece of solid birch wood that is form-bent and then split in half. This ensures that over time, the Armchair 41 “Paimio” remains perfectly balanced. The elegant, sculptural seat and backrest are made from form-pressed birch plywood.

This is a replica of the original chair was bought from the Moma. Made in Italy, the Armchair 41 “Paimio” measures 25.25h x 23.5w x 31.5”d. The chair’s manufacturer, Artek, is represented in MoMA’s collection

• from the Museum of Modern Art Design Store catalog