Vintage Kids Chair Model 68 | Scandinavian Modern

This is a vintage children’s chair in the iconic Model 68 design, most likely attributed to Finnish designer Alvar Aalto and originally produced for Artek, exemplifying Scandinavian modern furniture aesthetics.

A study in clean, functional form and natural materials, this chair conveys understated Nordic elegance. Its simple silhouette and gentle curves create a quiet sense of harmony in any interior.

Crafted in plywood and birch with a gently rounded seat and a subtly curved backrest, the chair reflects principles of utility and minimalism central to Nordic design. The bentwood construction and signature L-leg structure allow for a robust yet lightweight build that’s suited to everyday use in a child’s room, play space, or as an accent piece in living areas. While the design language is rooted in Alvar Aalto’s work of the 1930s, the chair is presented with careful attribution based on form and construction rather than documented manufacturer marks.

Alvar Aalto was a Finnish architect and designer whose work played a central role in shaping modern Scandinavian design. His furniture designs emphasize simplicity, functionality, and the use of natural materials, principles clearly expressed in the Model 68 chair designed in 1935 through its clear structure and bentwood construction.

The use of curved wood and a restrained, functional design language is also characteristic of the work of designers such as Arne Jacobsen, as well as later Scandinavian examples including the Model 8000 dining chair by Rud Thygesen & Johnny Sørensen for Magnus Olesen in Denmark. Within this broader design tradition, the chair’s solid construction allows it to combine naturally with pieces such as the Frosta stool in a similar style.

Designer: Alvar Aalto (attributed)
Origin: Finland (likely for Artek)
Style: Scandinavian Modern
Materials: Birch plywood, bentwood
Color: Natural wood tones
Dimensions (approx.)
Overall Height 52 cm - Seat Height 30 cm
Seat Diameter 25 cm - 2.2 cm thick
Width 35 cm
Weight: 2.4 kg

Condition
Very good vintage condition with minor signs of age-appropriate wear; some scratches on the seat and some small chips/repairs in the wood on the sides. Solid and ready to use.

Ideal for a child’s room, nursery, or as a distinctive accent seating option in living spaces.