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Aalto pendant A440
Description
Pendant light A440 was designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek in 1954. Its flowing shape has references from Aalto’s iconic Golden Bell lamp but the size is slightly larger, and instead of brass, A440 is made of hand-blown opal glass that diffuses the light softly. Compared to the downward light of the Golden Bell, A440 casts light also upwards and to the sides and provides great general light for example at the hallway, kitchen or bedroom.
Even though glass is a common material in Aalto’s work, he rarely used glass in his lighting designs. The refined, sculptural silhouette of the A440 pendant makes it one of the most minimalist lamps by Aalto.
- Width: 7.48 in (19 cm)
- Diameter: 7.48 in (19 cm)
- Height: 9.06 in (23 cm)
- Cable length: 78.74 in (200 cm)
- Material Mouth-blown opal glass
- Colour Opal
- Bulb base E27
- Light source 7-9W LED (not included)
- IP rating 20
- Protection class II
- Voltage 220–240 V
- Nominal frequency 50–60 Hz
- Certifications and labels CE marked: tested and approved according to European standards
- Cable colour White
- Cable material Plastic
- Canopy Included
- Notes Canopy diameter 3.94 x 0 in (10 x cm, cm), height 2.36 in (6 cm)
- Ceiling plug No
- Product ID: AK400006
Alvar Aalto (1898–1976) was a celebrated Finnish architect and designer whose work shaped the very essence of modern Finnish design on an international scale. As a designer, he is especially renowned for his nature-inspired forms, human-centered approach and remarkably wide-ranging body of work, spanning architecture, furniture and lighting. Aalto’s legacy continues to live on in the collection of Artek, founded in 1935.
Alvar Aalto: The master of humane modernism
Alvar Aalto is without question the most internationally renowned Finnish architect and designer of all time. He graduated as an architect in 1921 and quickly rose to become one of the key reformers of modern architecture. Alongside clear-cut functionalism, Aalto developed a softer, more humane expression that emphasized human scale, natural materials, light and the experiential quality of space. His buildings and objects often form holistic environments in which architecture and design work in harmony to support one another.
One of Aalto’s most celebrated architectural works is the Paimio Sanatorium, completed in 1933 and designed as a hospital for tuberculosis patients. Created in close collaboration with his wife Aino Aalto, the project was designed down to the smallest details, including furniture and lighting. Paimio also marked the beginning of Aalto’s career as a furniture designer. Other iconic architectural works include the Viipuri Library, Villa Mairea in Noormarkku, Finlandia Hall in Helsinki, Säynätsalo Town Hall, and La Maison Carré in France.
Aalto’s Artek furniture changed everyday life
In 1935, Alvar Aalto founded Artek together with Aino Aalto, Maire Gullichsen and Nils-Gustav Hahl. Today, Artek is one of Finland’s most influential design companies. The company was established primarily to produce and sell furniture designed by the Aaltos, which still form the backbone of Artek’s collection.
One of Aalto’s most ingenious innovations is the so-called L-leg, patented in 1933. Aalto himself considered this bent wooden leg one of his greatest achievements – a technical and esthetic breakthrough that had a far-reaching impact on furniture design well beyond Finland. Thanks to the L-leg, table, chair and stool legs could be attached directly to the frame, forming the structural foundation of many of Aalto’s Artek designs.
Light, glass and organic forms
Freely flowing lines and the fusion of craftsmanship with industrial production are recurring themes in many of Aalto’s lighting designs, including iconic pieces such as the Beehive (A331) and Golden Bell lamps.
Aalto’s glass design has likewise achieved a timeless status. Most notably, the undulating Aalto vase – now produced by Iittala – has become one of the most recognizable international symbols of Finnish design.
Who: Alvar Aalto
- The most famous Finnish architect and designer of all time (1898–1976).
- A key developer of modern, human-centered design and co-founder of Artek.
- Known for his architecture, furniture, lighting and glass design.
- Iconic designs include the E60 stool, pendant lamp A331 “Beehive” and armchair 400 “Tank” for Artek, and the Aalto vases for Iittala.
Read more in Design Stories
- Artek’s classics are the foundation of Finnish design – introducing 7 timeless gems by Alvar Aalto >
- Humane from design to finish – Alvar Aalto’s armchairs are hand-made in Finland >
- Alvar Aalto’s Finlandia Hall enters a new era >
Would you like to read more about Alvar Aalto and his work? Discover our books:
- Alvar Aalto Homes
- Alvar Aalto Libraries
- Alvar Aalto – The Mark of the Hand
- Alvar Aalto – A Gentler Structure for Life
- Alvar Aalto Architect vol. 18
- Iittala
- Atlas of Mid-Century Modern Houses
- Mid-Century Modern Design
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Based on 2 reviews
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A
Anonyymi | Verified Customer
Helsinki, Finland
Harmitti, että valaisin tuli tilaukseni jälkeen seuraavalla viikolla alennukseen.
1 year ago
-
A
Anonyymi | Verified Customer
Helsinki, Finland
2 years ago
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