Swedish artist-designer Gunnar Nylund — who worked at iconic porcelain manufacturer Rörstrand for decades — was never satisfied with the status quo. He played with organic shapes, rich colors and dazzling patterns to create some of the most exquisite ceramic and porcelain sculptures, vessels and other furnishings and decor of the 20th century.
Born in Paris to artists Fernanda Jacobsen-Nylund and Felix Nylund, Gunnar lived in Finland as a child but when the Finnish Civil War broke out in 1918, he moved with his mother to her native Denmark. He initially pursued architecture at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts but cut his schooling short when he accepted a position at the Bing & Grøndahl porcelain factory, where he worked for artist Paul Gauguin’s son, Jean, for several years, creating a range of stoneware pieces.
Dissatisfied with the factory's traditional approach to art, Nylund moved on from Bing & Grøndahl and sought to create works in a modernist style. In 1929, Nylund and chemist Nathalie Krebs opened their own ceramics workshop called Saxbo in Saxbo, Denmark. The company’s works garnered praise at a Svenskt Tenn exhibition, and the prestigious Swedish manufacturer Rörstrand offered Nylund a position as creative director.
While he later worked for Nymolle Ceramic Factory in Denmark for a short period, Nylund produced his most famous works while employed by Rörstrand. Fresh ideas and methods intrigued Nylund and he was always eager to try new techniques at the manufacturer. He worked in the Art Deco style, creating warm-toned matte-glazed stoneware sculptures and ceramic tableware that are devoid of lavish ornamentation. Later, he crafted numerous figurines and highly stylized animal sculptures. Nylund’s work can be found at the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm, the Designmuseum Denmark and elsewhere.
Find vintage Gunnar Nylund serveware, sculptures and vessels on 1stDibs.
Art Deco Ceramic Vase by Gunnar Nylund. Rorstrand, Sweden, 1930s. Brown Gold.
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund, rorstrand studio, ALP Lidköping 1
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful, spherical ceramic art deco vase. Amazing glaze with details in hand-painted gold. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1930s. Good original condition. Some ...
Ceramic
Vintage Midcentury Stoneware Floor Vase by Gunnar Nylund, Sweden, 1940s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Large stoneware floor vase by Gunnar Nylund in a classical shape, glazed beautifully with a dramatic dark melange glaze that alternates between green and brown. Gunnar Nylund was on...
Stoneware
Gray & Blue Vase, Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Scandinavian Midcentury Vintage
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A gray and blue vase designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, the vase is 20 cm (8") high. It is in mint condition and marked as 1st quality. Gunnar Nylund was born in Paris 1904 ...
Ceramic
Large Stoneware Vase, Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Brown Rubus, Mid-Century Modern
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A stoneware vase in the Rubus-serie designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, it is 22.5 cm (9") high. It is in mint condition but marked as 2nd quality. Gunnar Nylund was born in ...
Stoneware
Large vase by GUNNAR NYLUND
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Long Island City, NY
GUNNAR NYLUND. A floor vase, Rörstrand 1950’s, stoneware, harp fur glaze in celadon shades. Signed. H. 17.3 IN; H. 43.94 CM;
Stoneware
Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand Flambé Stoneware Vase, Sweden, Signed, 1930s-1940s
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a rare and highly expressive stoneware vase designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, dating to the 1930s–1940s. Executed in Nylund’s celebrated flambé glaze, the surf...
Ceramic
Gunnar Nylund, Vase, Stoneware, Rörstand, Sweden, 1940s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in High Point, NC
An orange-brown, glazed stoneware vase designed by Gunnar Nylund and produced by Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 5.68" Height x 3.68" Diameter All items shi...
Stoneware
Small Green Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1960s.
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane, rorstrand studio, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful stoneware vase with amazing glaze. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1960s. Great original condition. No chips, cracks or crazing. Incised with signature ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Lovely Blue Ceramic Vase Gunnar Nylund Rörstrand - Mid century Vintage
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
A blue & green ceramic vase designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand. It is 17.5 cm (7") high and about 17 cm (6.8") in diameter and in excellent condition. The vase is marked as 1st q...
Stoneware
Blue Miniature Ceramic Vase - Gunnar Nylund - Rörstrand - Midcentury Vintage
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A blue, miniature ceramic vase designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, the vase is 6.5 cm (2.6") tall. It is in mint condition and marked as 1st quality. Gunnar Nylund was born in ...
Stoneware
A stoneware vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rostrand
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Long Island City, NY
A stoneware vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rostrand, Circa 1950th. Signed R GN. H 9″.
Stoneware
Blue Art Deco Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund. Rorstrand, Sweden, 1930s.
By Gunnar Nylund, rorstrand studio, Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful stoneware Art Deco / Swedish Grace vase with amazing glaze. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1930s. Great original condition. No chips, cracks or crazing...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Set of 8 Stoneware Vases by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By Rörstrand, rorstrand studio, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Malmö, SE
A set of eight beautiful stoneware vases with amazing and rare glaze. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s. Excellent condition. Incised signature "GN" and maker...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Midcentury Modern Set of 3 Ceramic Pieces Rörstrand Gunnar Nylund Sweden, 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Three wonderful pieces/vases made in Sweden during the 1950s at Rörstrand factory and designed by Gunnar Nylund. Great looking vases with that caracteristc harefur glaze. Good v...
Ceramic
Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s.
By Gunnar Nylund, rorstrand studio, Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful stoneware vase with amazing glaze. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s. Excellent original condition. No chips, cracks or crazing. Incised with signat...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Collection of 3 Ceramic Vessels by Gunnar Nylund Rörstrand Sweden, 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
We have curated a group of stunning pieces of ceramics made in Sweden during the 1950s. These pieces have been gathered and put together by us, carefully sorted and now ready to be g...
Ceramic
$14,325 / set
Set of 9 Glass Vases by Gunnar Nylund, 1950’s
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Set of 9 Glass Vases by Gunnar Nylund, 1950’s Additional Information: Material: Glass Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced by Strömbergshyttan in Sweden Dimensions (W x D x H):...
Glass
Midcentury Modern Set of 4 Ceramic Vases Gunnar Nylund Rörstrand Sweden
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Set of 4 wonderful vases made in Sweden during the 1950s at Rörstrand factory and designed by Gunnar Nylund. The Vases are made in nice sculptural shape and with wonderful glaze. ...
Ceramic
Gunnar Nylund Stoneware "GN ARH" Vase for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gunnar Nylund stoneware "GN ARH" vase for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s. Blue hares fur glazed stoneware relief vase, 1950s. Signed with GN ARH. And R for Rörstrand. Dimensions: He...
Stoneware
Large Vase by Gunnar Nylund
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Long Island City, NY
GUNNAR NYLUND. A floor vase, Rörstrand 1950’s, stoneware, harp fur glaze in brown shades. Signed. H 17.3″.
Ceramic
Gunnar Nylund 'Rubus' Stoneware Vase, Rörstrand, Sweden, 1965
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in The Hague, NL
This stoneware vase was designed by Gunnar Nylund and produced in Sweden in the late 1960s. Nylund designed many classics for the Swedish ceramic factory Rörstrand. One of the most ...
Stoneware
Small Gunnar Nylund “Rubus” Stoneware Vase for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1960s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
A small “Rubus” stoneware vase designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, during the 1960s. The vase has a rounded cylindrical form. The glaze combines cream and brown tones w...
Stoneware
Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund, rorstrand studio, Rörstrand
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful stoneware vase with amazing glaze. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s. Good condition. Marked as second due to an irregularity in the glaze (from ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Rörstrand Set of 6 Signed Miniature Vases, Nylund & Stålhane, Lundgren, 1950s
By Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund, Bertil Lundgren
Located in Stockholm, SE
A rare and beautifully curated set of six signed Rörstrand miniature vases, executed in Sweden during the 1950s, representing the golden era of Scandinavian modern ceramics. Each pie...
Ceramic
Brown & Gold Art Deco Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for ALP, Sweden, 1930s.
By Gunnar Nylund, ALP Lidköping 1, rorstrand studio, Rörstrand
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful stoneware Art Deco / Swedish Grace vase of the highest quality. Amazing glaze with hand-painted details in gold. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for ALP (Lidköpings Porslinsfab...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Gunnar Nylund, Vase, Blue Glazed Stoneware, Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in High Point, NC
A blue glazed stoneware vase designed by Gunnar Nylund and produced by Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s.
Stoneware
Midcentury Modern Large Vase Rörstrand by Gunnar Nylund, Sweden, 1950s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Wonderfully crafted large stoneware vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand 1950s with exceptional yellow green, brown hare fur glaze. Good vintage condition with small uneven parts ...
Stoneware
Midcentury Modern Set of 3 Ceramic Vases Rörstrand Gunnar Nylund, Sweden
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Three wonderful vases from Rörstrand and maker or Designer Gunnar Nylund. Made in Sweden in the midcentury. Beautiful glazed vases in good condition. Measures: Height 26 cm, 17 cm...
Ceramic
Green Ceramic Vase, Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Scandinavian Midcentury Vintage
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A vase with an amazing green / dark turquoise speckled glaze. This is one of the most popular glazes on Gunnar Nylunds ceramics. The vase is des...
Ceramic
Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By Rörstrand, rorstrand studio, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful stoneware vase with amazing glaze. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s. Excellent condition. Incised signature "GN" and makers mark "R" for Rörstra...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Gunnar Nylund Vase, Rörstrand, Light Green Speckled Glaze, Circa 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A vase designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, the vase is 24.5 cm high and it is in mint condition. It has a stunning light green speckled glaze that is very rare to find. Gunnar ...
Stoneware
Midcentury Modern Rare Pair of Vases Gunnar Nylund Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
These pieces were made in Sweden at Rörstrand factory and designed by Gunnar Nylund in the 1940-1950s. This is the small size vase and the large vase called "Charmotte". The name in...
Ceramic
Large Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Gunnar Nylund, rorstrand studio, Rörstrand
Located in Malmö, SE
A large and beautiful stoneware vase with amazing glaze. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1940s. Excellent condition. Incised signature "NYLUND" and makers mark "...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Gunnar Nylund Scandinavian Midcentury Ceramic Vase for Rörstrand 1960s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Scandinavian ceramic vase designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, made in Sweden, marked on the bottom, in matte enamel, 1960s. Dimensions: Height 22 cm, diameter 8 cm.
Ceramic, Stoneware
Mid-Century Swedish Vase, Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Paradiso Series
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This wonderful vase designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand is from the Paradiso series. This beautiful trumpet form vase is decorated in relief all over, with foliate forms and geom...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Brown Ceramic Vase Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Scandinavian Midcentury Vintage
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
A brown ceramic vase with a stunning glaze designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, the vase is 15 cm (6.) tall. It´s in excellent condition but marked as 2nd quality. Gunnar Nylund...
Stoneware
$2,080Sale Price|20% Off
"Gathering Water, " Fabulous Art Deco Vase with Female Nudes by Nylund/Rorstrand
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautifully conceived and executed, this elegant vase designed by Gunnar Nylund for the famed Rorstrand porcelain works in Sweden depicts two pairs of nude women, all collecting wate...
Porcelain
Scandinavian Modern Ceramic Floor Vase by Gunnar Nylund, Sweden
By Carl-Harry Stålhane, Gunnar Nylund, Berndt Friberg, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Timeless ceramic floor vase designed by Gunnar Nylund. Manufactured by Rörstrand in Sweden during the 1950s. The vase is made from stoneware with a hare fur glaze shifting in between...
Stoneware
Set of 3 Stoneware Floor Vases by Gunnar Nylund. Rorstrand, Sweden, 1940s.
By Gunnar Nylund, rorstrand studio, Rörstrand
Located in Malmö, SE
A set of three beautiful stoneware vases with amazing glaze. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1940s. Great condition. Incised signature "G.N." and makers mark, Rörs...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Gorgeous Mid-Century Modernist Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in New York, NY
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modernist vase in hues of green and blue by Swedish ceramicist Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand. A lovely piece on its own or folding a single stem of flora. This p...
Ceramic
Large Brown & Gold Art Deco Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund. ALP, Sweden, 1930s
By Rörstrand, rorstrand studio, ALP Lidköping 1, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Malmö, SE
A large stoneware Art Deco vase with beautiful brown glaze. Foot and mouth detailed in gold. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for ALP (Lidköpings Porslinsfabrik), Sweden, 1930s. Great orig...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund, rorstrand studio
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful stoneware vase with handle and amazing glaze. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s. Great condition, some small glaze spots. Incised signature "G.N....
Ceramic, Stoneware
Unique Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Gunnar Nylund, rorstrand studio, Rörstrand
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful and unique stoneware vase with amazing and rare glaze. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1940s. Incised signature "NYLUND" and makers mark "R" for Rörs...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Collection of 3 Ceramic Vessels by Gunnar Nylund Rörstrand Sweden, 1950s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
We have curated a group of stunning pieces of ceramics made in Sweden during the 1950s. These pieces have been gathered and put together by us, carefully sorted and now ready to be g...
Ceramic
Brown Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1960s.
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane, rorstrand studio, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful stoneware vase with amazing glaze. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1960s. Excellent original condition. No chips, cracks or crazing. Incised with signat...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Gunnar Nylund, Floor Vase, Stoneware, Sweden, 1940s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in High Point, NC
A floor vase designed by Gunnar Nylund and produced by Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s.
Stoneware
HUGE Gunnar Nylund Rubus Floor Vase of Stoneware by Rôrstrand in Sweden 1950s
By Carl-Harry Stålhane, Axel Salto, Saxbo, Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Huge Rubus stoneware floor vase designed by Gunnar Nylund (1914-1997) in the 1950s. The vase is decorated with different shades of brown and green glaze. Handsigned with the Rörstra...
Stoneware
Unique Blue Art Deco Stoneware Globe Vase by Gunnar Nylund for ALP, Sweden 1930s
By Gunnar Nylund, rorstrand studio, ALP Lidköping 1, Rörstrand
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful and unique stoneware vase of the highest quality with amazing glaze. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for ALP (Lidköpings Porslinsfabrik), Sweden, 1930s. Excellent condition. N...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Gunnar Nylund Chamotte Ceramic Vases Set, Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
We have curated a group of stunning pieces of chamotte ceramics made in Sweden during the 1950s. These pieces have been gathered and put together by us, carefully sorted and now read...
Ceramic
Midcentury Modern Set of 4 Ceramic Pieces Rubus Gunnar Nylund Rörstrand, Sweden
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
These vessels and vases made in ceramic and named Rubus was designed by one of the ceramic designer icons of Sweden Gunnar Nylund. This set containin...
Ceramic
Midcentury Modern Set of 3 Rörstrand Ritzi Vases and Bowl Gunnar Nylund
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Wonderful blue glaze on these 2 vases and bowl from Rörstrand Sweden, designed by Gunnar Nylund in the 1950s. They are all in good vintage condition. Dimensions: Large vase H ...
Ceramic
Modernist Stoneware Vase in Brown Glaze by Gunnar Nylund for Nymølle, 1960s
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Gunnar Nylund (1904–1997) designed many classics for the Danish ceramic Workshop Nymølle where he was artistic leader from 1959-63. This particular lean and stylish piece is executed...
Stoneware
Dove Blue Ceramic Vase Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Scandinavian Midcentury Vintage
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A dove blue vase with a lovely glaze designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, the vase is 25 cm (10") high and 8.5 cm (3.4") in diameter. It´s in excellent condition and marked as 1st...
Stoneware
White Art Deco Chamotte Vase 'Hedgehog' by Gunnar Nylund. Rorstrand Sweden 1930s
By Gunnar Nylund, rorstrand studio, Rörstrand
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful white vase in chamotte stoneware. Art Deco / Swedish Grace. Designed by Gunnar Nylund in 1936 for Rorstrand, Sweden. Great condition. Impressed 'NYLUND', 'CHAMOTTE', 'S...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Collection of 3 Ceramic Vessels by Gunnar Nylund Rörstrand Sweden, 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
We have curated a group of stunning pieces of ceramics made in Sweden during the 1950s. These pieces have been gathered and put together by us, carefully sorted and now ready to be g...
Ceramic
Vase, Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, 1950s, Mid Century Vintage, Scandinavian Design
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely vase designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, the vase is 20 cm (8") high. It´s in excellent condition except from some minor scratches and marks in the glaze, it is marked a...
Stoneware
Large Green Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1960s.
By Rörstrand, rorstrand studio, Carl-Harry Stålhane, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Malmö, SE
A large and beautiful stoneware vase with amazing glaze. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1960s. Great original condition. No chips, cracks or crazing. Stamped with ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Gunnar Nylund, stoneware vase, Rörstrand, Scandinavian Modern / Midcentury
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Stoneware vase with beautiful hare fur glaze by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstand, Sweden mid-1900s. Marked Nylund and Rörstand. In good condition, smaller signs of age and wear. About...
Stoneware
Scandinavian Modern Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund, Brown Pitcher
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely brown vase designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand. It is 30.5 cm high and in very good condition except from some minor marks in the glaze why it is marked as 2nd quality. ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Ceramic Vase Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Scandinavian Midcentury Vintage
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A beige vase with a stunning beige/white/Yellow glaze designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, the vase is 35 cm (14") tall. It´s in excellent condition except from some minor marks i...
Stoneware