Image source: Artek — Armchair 406
© Artek and the respective rights holders. Quoted to accompany INTEBEE's independent design commentary and research.
Armchair 406
Alvar Aalto's cantilevered birch armchair with linen webbing, dated 1939
600 × 870 × 720 mm
1939
Finland
Approx. $1,900 (reference price; varies by region and retailer)
Official product information
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Description
Overview
Armchair 406 is an armchair by Alvar Aalto that Artek dates 1939. The seat is linen webbing, held in a cantilevered birch frame.
Image source: Artek — Armchair 406 · © 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
Each of the six versions pairs the same lacquered birch frame with a different webbing colour.
Specifications
- Width: 60 cm; depth: 72 cm; height: 87 cm (read by position, not labelled on the drawing)
- Frame: solid birch, form-bent lamella; seat: linen webbing
- Origin: Finland
Story
Simple elegance
Artek's page opens with the claim that Armchair 406 combines simple elegance with comfort, and gives the cantilevered birch frame and the linen-webbed seat as the reason for its comfort and relaxation.
Materials that give way
The page describes the natural materials as yielding in response to the body while providing strength and stability. The page adds that the linen belt-webbing is available in a selection of colours, and shows six of them on the same lacquered birch frame.
More by Alvar Aalto
Chair 611
Alvar Aalto's stackable birch chair with a linen webbing seat and back, dated 1929
Armchair 402
Alvar Aalto's cantilever armchair with a cushioned seat, shown at Milan in 1933
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