Upholstered stool 60, Alvar Aalto, Artek (CC41), Finland, 1941

Stamped ‘CC41’ dates this stool between 1941 and 1951, having passed the wartime regulations.

Upholstery was offered as an option for stool 60s – whether they had internal upholsterers who supplied the service or whether they were sent to the local upholsterers I am unsure. I tend to think it’s the latter, due to the irregularity in upholstered stools. Either way, it is unusual to find them. There’s also the possibility that it was a DIY job.

Stone-coloured vinyl with metal studs.