Alvar Aalto for Valaistustyö Ky ‘A704’ Table Lamp in Leather

Alvar Aalto for Valaistustyö Ky, desk lamp, model ‘A704’, enameled steel, enameled aluminum, leather-bound metal, Finland, 1954

This table lamp model ‘A704’ is designed by Finnish modernist architect and industrial designer Alvar Aalto for Valaistustyö Ky and dates back to 1954. This lighting object is a highly sought-after design, as it was produced in very limited quantities during the mid-1950s. Aalto is known for his humanistic approach towards design while retaining its functional purpose. The frame is comprised of a bent stem that is supported by a V-shaped base that diverges in two directions. With practicality in mind, the frame can be simultaneously used as a bookstand. The lightbulb is surrounded by a hemispherical shade joined by a double-layered diffuser, which contributes to a finer and more widely distributed light beam. A row of small slots structure one side of the shade through which the light can escape in a subtle manner. Aalto employed a unique way of covering the base and stem of the lamp by using leather. This, combined with the clean lines and pronounced geometry, intensifies the strong and severe appearance. The interior of the shade is impressed with the manufacturer’s mark and model number: “A 704 Valaistustyö”.