Artek 90 Years – A Tribute to Finnish Design

Artek Jubilee Section at Helsinki Design Sale

This year, Bukowskis celebrates the influential design company Artek with a curated jubilee section at the autumn special auction Helsinki Design Sale. Artek was founded in 1935 by Alvar and Aino Aalto, Maire Gullichsen and Nils-Gustav Hahl with the vision of uniting modern art, industrial production and functional design.

Since then, Artek has become a central figure in international design history, not least through spreading Aalto’s pioneering furniture, lighting and interior textiles to a global audience. Recognised as one of the great masters of modernism, Alvar Aalto developed a design language defined by functionality, simplicity and timeless elegance. In 1929, he designed his first modern piece of furniture for the Paimio Sanatorium, an object that laid the foundation for his international acclaim.

The auction highlights include the armchair Model 38 “Tank”, the pendant light Model A332 “Beehive”, the table lamp Model A704, and a selection of highly sought-after glass objects. The section features works by Aino and Alvar Aalto, as well as other designers whose creations over the years have been part of Artek’s collection – including Kaj Franck and Heidi Blomstedt. Together, they embody Artek’s distinctive fusion of craftsmanship, innovation and timeless aesthetics.