Alvar Aato's 1931 design of the Armchair 41, or Paimio Chair as it is known, is admired as much for its sculptural presence as for its comfort. The chair's framework consists of two closed loops of laminated wood, forming arms, legs, and floor runners, between which rides the lacquered seat—a thin sheet of plywood tightly bent at both top and bottom into sinuous scrolls, giving it greater resiliency. Inspired by Marcel Breuer's tubular-steel Wassily Chair of 1927—28, Aalto chose, instead, native birch for its natural feel and insulating properties, and developed a more organic form.

Aalto's bentwood furniture had a great influence on the American designers Charles and Ray Eames and the Finnish-born Eero Saarinen. In 1935 the Artek company was established in Finland to mass-produce and distribute wood furniture designed by Aalto and his wife, Aino. Most of their designs remain in production.

This chair is sized for grown-ups, not to be mistaken for one of our child-sized Modern Classics. The low, lounge-style seat height measures 13". Use this chair for nursing in your modern nursery, or as a modern accent in any area of your home.

This product usually ships in 6 to 8 weeks.