Hi, I am under the impression that earlier 1930s-40s Aalto furniture produced by Artek had the stamps ('Aalto design made in Finland') in red and the later in brown? It seems that the fifties Artek furniture was generally unmarked and the slight difference can be seen in the colour (more pale/anaemic looking). In the Uk most of the 1930s Aalto designs were retailed through Finmar and carry the retailers labels so it is easy to distinguish the pre-war and post-war production. However it seems that prior to WWII there were versions being produced in several other countries including Sweden and not all carry the maker or retailer marks or labels?
Anyway...this sums up what i have gathered over the years of collecting Aalto furniture...I wondered if I am incorrect with any of this?...I admit that I could have misunderstood information passed onto me or could have been misinformed and would appreciate advice from anyone who knows more or better.
Aalto furniture -
I'm struggling to find info myself - check out my recent thread on a model 70 table (web link below), (Ignore the stupid posts).I've read that OY.ﾠ HUONEKALUJAﾠ RAKENNUSTYOTEHDASﾠ AB was the first manufacturer, with the "Aalto design made in finland" stamped, I've seen the same stamp with 'Made in sweden' also the info on the connection between Finmar & artek is sketchy.
I've seen finmar labels on pieces that are claimed to be made by OY.ﾠ HUONEKALUJAﾠ RAKENNUSTYOTEHDASﾠ AB?
It's all a bit confusing & some clarity would be great!
http://www.designaddict.com/design_addict/forums/index.cfm/fuseaction/th...
Aalto
Hi, It looks like you have the same table as I have here, only mine has a slightly different Tongue-and-Groove Joint pattern with less connections (one instead of two). I have seen variations on the theme of the table over the years, such as the depth between the two shelves which was incredibly wide on some tables or differences in the measurements. However the ingenious support system on the bend in the leg is a signature trait registered by Aalto and unique to his development in using bent-ply. The version here is also stamped 'Bowman Brothers' who were one of the few retail outlets for Finmar furniture in the 30s. A Swedish dealer once told me that there were several Swedish companies manufacturing the designs during the inter-war years (?)
The Hatje Cantz book on the Bischofberger collection is quite informative about the history and development of Aalto furniture.
Aalto
In The Bischofberger book the author states that Aalto's furniture was already 'boomed' in London by 1934 and Finmar was already a very successful company by that time. However Artek was not set up until 1935 (Thomas Kellein,2005;37). The author isn't clear about whether Finmar were already retailing the plywood furniture that early; Instead he mentions that the "Paimio Sanatorium was presented in London as the perfect furniture for the English snob...not as hard and cold as tubular steel, and, what is more, cheaper". (Kellein,2005;37)
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