Alvar Aalto (b. Kuortane 1898, d. Helsinki 1976)
An exceptionally rare semicircular bureau of birch burl and birch. Front with two pivoting drawers above two doors, behind which shelves. Ebonized handles. Model A 803. Designed 1935. This example made 1935–1939 by Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Oy, Turku, for Artek, Helsinki. Retailed by Finmar Ltd. with metal tag. H. 92 cm. D. 46 cm. L. 123 cm.
Provenance: Collection Kossdorff.
In 1995 this rare semi circular bureau initiated the Kossdorff Collection in Munich. This year, Heinz Kossdorff was chasing tubular steel furniture, but instead he ended up buying Alvar Aalto’s bureau from 1935, as, according to Kossdorff himself, the birch wood appeared in this fine, playfull and exceptional vivid way. The cabinet is probably the only known example without keyholes on the doors and with ebonized handles.
Literature: Thomas Kellin [ed.]: “Alvar & Aino Aalto design, Collection Bischofberger”, ill. and described pp. 112–113. Literature: Eva B. Ottlinger (Hg), “Alvar Aalto Möbel. Die Sammlung Kossdorff”, p 5.
Condition report on request.
Design: Nordic Masters, 27 September 2017
Not sold