81A Dining Table by Alvar Aalto for Artek, 1980s

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The 81A table is a timeless design by Alvar Aalto from 1935. This rectangular dining table combines a solid birch … Read more The 81A table is a timeless design by Alvar Aalto from 1935. This rectangular dining table combines a solid birch frame with an easy-care laminate tabletop.

The 81A and other tables by Artek are based on various combinations of Alvar Aalto's L-shaped leg and tabletops made from different materials. Alvar Aalto first introduced the curved L-shaped leg in 1933, and it quickly became a standard element of his furniture. Assessing his significance as a designer and architect, Alvar Aalto considered the development of the L-shaped leg his greatest achievement. In his opinion, its revolutionary character was comparable to that of the architectural column, and he even called the L-shaped leg "the little sister of the architectural column." The development of the L-shaped leg was so significant because it solved the problem of attaching chair and table legs directly to the tabletop in an unprecedented way – the leg could be screwed directly to the tabletop, and the end result was in itself a solid structure. The combination of natural-colored birch with clear lacquer for protection and the white Formica top is typical of the idea of ​​light and inviting furniture, durable and versatile enough to be combined in the living room. Our table has some patina on the top and some scratches in the Formica. We bought the table from private owners who had owned it since the 1980s. I have official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalogs,
designer records,
or other literature sources and take full responsibility for any authenticity issues arising
from
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