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Gunnar Nylund

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.

Beautiful Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Sweden. Mid-20th Century
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund (1904-1997), Rörstrands Porslinsfabrik, Sweden. Very period design from Mid-20th Century. Beautiful color. Wear consistent with age and use
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Gunnar Nylund

Materials

Stoneware

Two Brown and green-glazed Gunnar Nylund Bowls, Sweden, 1940s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Two Classic brown and beige-glazed stoneware bowls designed and produced in Sweden, 1940s. Marked as 1st quality. Gunnar Nylund, born in Paris in 1904 to parents engaged in sculptin...
Category

1950s European Scandinavian Modern Vintage Gunnar Nylund

Materials

Stoneware

Group of 7 Brown Ceramic Vases, Rörstrand - Gunnar Nylund & Carl-Harry Stålhane
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
A group of seven vases and bowls by Carl-Harry Stålhane, two bowls at Rörstrand and one vase by Gunnar Nylund in the 1950s and 1960s. The vases are between 6.5 - 25.5 cm high and in ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Gunnar Nylund

Materials

Porcelain

Mid-century Modern White Hedgehog Vase by Gunnar Nylund för Rörstrand, Sweden
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Mid-century Modern white "hedgehog" vase by Gunnar Nylund, (1904 - 1997) för Rörstrand, Sweden. Stamped. In mint condition. This beautiful example of Swedish Modernist design is the...
Category

1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gunnar Nylund

Materials

Stoneware

A Classic Elegant "Aro" Ceramic Bowl by Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Sweden, 1960s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
A Classic "Aro" Ceramic bowl by Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Sweden, 1960s. A timeless and sophisticated "Aro" bowl crafted by Gunnar Nylund showcases exquisite shades in blue and brow...
Category

1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Gunnar Nylund

Materials

Ceramic

Midcentury Modern Pair of Ceramic Bowls Rörstrand Gunnar Nylund, Sweden
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
This set of two bowls contains the largest model of the AXK bowl and a ARO bowl, both manufactured in the 1950s at Rörstrand, designed by Gunnar Nylund. The ...
Category

1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gunnar Nylund

Materials

Ceramic

Gunnar Nylund "ASH" Blue & Ochre 3 Wave Small Bowl Signed Rorstrand Sweden 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gunnar Nylund "ASH" blue & ochre 3 wave small bowl signed Rorstrand Sweden 1950s. Beautiful stoneware bowl by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand in shades of blue ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Gunnar Nylund

Materials

Stoneware

Midcentury Modern Set of 3 Ceramic pieces Sweden 1950 Rörstrand Gunnar Nylund
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Three wonderful pieces made in Sweden during the 1950s at Rörstrand factory and designed by Gunnar Nylund The vases have nice antique look in a modern shape. The vases are nicely sc...
Category

1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gunnar Nylund

Materials

Ceramic

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Gunnar Nylund furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Gunnar Nylund furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of ceramic and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Gunnar Nylund furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Gunnar Nylund were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane, and Stig Lindberg. Prices for Gunnar Nylund furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $165 and can go as high as $20,573, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,200.

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