See more objects with the tag lighting, aluminum, white, beehive, hanging lamp.

Object Timeline

  • We acquired this object.

1953

  • Work on this object began.

2016

2024

  • You found it!

Model A331 Hanging Lamp Hanging Lamp

This is a hanging lamp. It was designed by Alvar Aalto and manufactured by Valaistustyö Ky. It is dated 1953. Its medium is aluminum, enamel, brass. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.

Aalto viewed lighting as one of many integrated components that could transform people’s surroundings. Many of Aalto's lamps were initially designed for specific building projects, but were then put into serial production. The A331 hanging lamp is one of these; Aalto originally designed it in 1953, as part of the furnishings program for his buildings for the University of Jyväskylä in Jyväskylä, Finland. The lamp was, and still is, marketed by Artek—a company co-founded by Aalto to sell his designs—and has been one of the firm’s most popular lighting fixtures.

This object was donated by George R. Kravis II. It is credited Gift of George R. Kravis II.

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Its dimensions are

H x diam.: 30.5 × 33 cm (12 × 13 in.)

It has the following markings

Impressed: Valaistustyö A331

Cite this object as

Model A331 Hanging Lamp Hanging Lamp; Designed by Alvar Aalto (Finnish, 1898–1976); Manufactured by Valaistustyö Ky; aluminum, enamel, brass; H x diam.: 30.5 × 33 cm (12 × 13 in.); Gift of George R. Kravis II; 2018-22-90

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Energizing the Everyday: Gifts From the George R. Kravis II Collection.

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/420556897/ |title=Model A331 Hanging Lamp Hanging Lamp |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=26 April 2024 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>