Armchair 402
Alvar Aalto's cantilever armchair with a cushioned seat, shown at Milan in 1933
610 × 760 × 700 mm
Source: technical drawing image — Armchair 402 (the page's single drawing) — published as W 61 × D 70 × H 76 cm
1933
Finland
EUR 2,902 from, birch frame, Polo fabric or natural white Nubia fabric (EUR 3,103 honey-stained frame with Zebra fabric), shop.artek.fi, 2026-10-14
Description
Overview
Armchair 402 is Alvar Aalto's cantilever armchair, marked 1933 on Artek's page, which says Aalto first presented it at the Milan Triennale that year. Its cushioned seat rests on a frame of birch lamella bent into form.
Construction
The back is tilted slightly; fabric or leather upholstery covers the seat and back.
Specifications
- Width: 61 cm; depth: 70 cm; height: 76 cm (read by position, not labelled on the drawing)
- Frame: bent solid birch lamella; four frame finishes
- Versions: five on the page
- Origin: Finland
Story
At the Triennale
Artek's page calls Armchair 402 a masterpiece of modernist furniture design that Alvar Aalto first presented at the Milan Triennale in 1933.
The zebra print
The page shows the chair with the Zebra textile design, and Artek's archive page says the zebra print has been used on many Artek products, including Armchair 402.
Upright, yet relaxed
The page says the slightly tilted back allows gentle relaxation while the sitter stays upright.
More by Alvar Aalto
Aalto Table extendable
Alvar Aalto's extendable birch-legged table, 135 cm closed and 190 cm extended, dated 1956
Aalto Table round
Alvar Aalto's 1933 round birch-legged table in three diameters, 75, 100 and 125 cm
Armchair 400 "Tank"
Alvar Aalto's prize-winning "Tank" armchair: cantilevered birch lamella frame and wide, sturdy arms
Armchair 401
Alvar Aalto's high-back cantilever armchair with a sprung seat, dated 1933