Image source: Artek — Armchair 402
© Artek and the respective rights holders. Quoted to accompany INTEBEE's independent design commentary and research.
Armchair 402
Alvar Aalto's cantilever armchair with a cushioned seat, shown at Milan in 1933
610 × 760 × 700 mm
1933
Finland
Approx. $3,100 (reference price; varies by region and retailer)
Official product information
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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.
Image source: Artek — Armchair 402 · © Artek and the respective rights holders. Quoted to accompany INTEBEE's independent design commentary and research. · View official product page ↗ · Image use & copyright policy
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
Chair 611
Alvar Aalto's stackable birch chair with a linen webbing seat and back, dated 1929
Chair 65
Alvar Aalto's low-backed birch chair with a round seat, dated 1935
Lounge Chair 43
Alvar Aalto's cantilevered birch lounge chair with linen webbing, dated 1937
Stool 60
Alvar Aalto's three-legged, stackable birch stool, in continuous production since 1933