Floor lamp A811 designed by Alvar Aalto for Valaistustyö,
Finland, 1950s.

Cast iron, brass, lacquered metal and leather.

Rare model.

H: 160 cm/ 5' 3''

Combining a polished brass collar with a black leather stand, the A811 features a single hand-turned shade made of delicate, lacquered metal strips that prevent glare by diffusing light evenly. The A811 was the last addition to Alvar Aalto’s range of floor lights. While similar in form and function to the lighting created for the National Pensions Institute, Helsinki in the 1950s, Floor Light A811 didn’t come into being until 1965.

Alvar Aalto was a Finnish architect and designer. His work includes architecture, furniture, lighting, and glassware, as well as sculptures and paintings. He never regarded himself as an artist, seeing painting and sculpture as "branches of the tree whose trunk is architecture." The pure Functionalist phase in Aalto’s work lasted for several years. It enabled him to make an international breakthrough, largely because of Paimio Sanatorium (1929-1933), an important Functionalist milestone. Aalto had adopted the principals of user-friendly, functional design in his architecture, and it was characteristic of Aalto to treat each building as a complete work of art – right down to the furniture and light fittings. The design of his furniture combined practicality and aesthetics with series production, encouraging a more beautiful everyday life in the home.


Price: on application

  • Purchasing and Shipping:

    When buying online at Modernity, you can pay by wire transfer. We also offer an option to pay over time through the company Art Money. Art Money allows you to spread the cost of a purchase over a period of 10 months, interest free. Modernity ships worldwide - please get in touch for a quote. Learn more here.

Share this item: