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Rare armchair / model 26 - studio reissue from the 1990s, Artek, Alvar Aalto
€4,300Bid from €3,200
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Product description
Exceptionally rare "hybrid" armchair / model 26 / Alvar Aalto - studio reissue by Artek from the 1990s
This chair is the elusive Atelier reissue from the 1990s of Aalto's "Hybrid" experiment from 1932. It was produced in an internally numbered small series, which probably comprised fewer than fifty pieces. Characterized by the untreated metal frame in combination with the plywood adapter plate - a link between the living room series of the 1960s and the laser-cut CNC test run of 2010 - the excellently preserved black lacquer and the satin chrome finish of the frame make it one of the best-preserved pieces in this series.
A single full-length, form-glued birch veneer (7-9 thin layers), deep black lacquered; measured front width 61 cm. Raw metal frame made of satin chrome-plated tubular steel (Ø 22 mm), welded to form a closed frame. Only the studio production of the 1990s left the tubes unpainted; the 1960s version was matt black, whereas the 2010 test series was shiny chrome-plated and laser-engraved. The CNC-milled adapter plate made of birch plywood is screwed to the underside and screwed through to the frame - without a deep-drawn steel support. This technical solution first appeared in internal Artek research documents around 1992 and disappeared again after the 2010 branding run. Supplied by Artek 2nd Cycle, Helsinki (invoice & email from 2025); according to the archivist, the piece comes from a "small batch of the 1990s" that was made for a Vitra showroom test and never cataloged.
Brief production history of the "Hybrid" chair made of plywood and steel by Aalto:
1932-34 - First series for the Paimio sanatorium; approx. 60 chairs, natural or black, directly bolted seat surface
1965-70 - Korhonen new edition for Wohnbedarf Zuerich; matt black frame + deep-drawn steel frame
1990-94 - Studio production: satin chrome-plated frame, plywood load plate, without branding; ≤ 50 units
2010 - CNC test run with laser branding, shiny chrome-plated, approx. 80 units
Stylistically, the 1990s version lies between the angular design of the 1960s and the branded 2010 series: the curved armrest is closer in form to the 1932 drawing, while the mounting plate and metal frame clearly indicate a later date of origin.
Materials Molded birch veneer, lacquered black; frame made of satin chrome-plated tubular steel; reinforcement plate made of birch plywood; screws replaced later
Dimensions (approx.) H 73 cm × W 61 cm × D 80 cm
Estimated price 4 300 - 5 900 EUR
Specifications
ConditionExcellentColorsBlackMaterialWood, MetalNumber of items1BrandArtekHeight73 cmWidth61 cmDepth80 cmSeat height44 cm
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Barcelona, SpainOn Whoppah since June 2025 • 0 sales