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.
Brown & Gold Art Deco Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for ALP, Sweden, 1930s.
By Rörstrand, rorstrand studio, Gunnar Nylund, ALP Lidköping 1
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
Early Danish Saxbo Nylund & Krebs Low Bowl Salt Green and Brown, Ceramic 1930
By Carl Halier, Saxbo, Nathalie Krebs, Patrick Nordstrom, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Very rare early piece from the Danish ceramic studio Saxbo by Gunnar Nylund and Nathalie Krebs. Manufactured 1929 or 1930. The tray is made from stoneware and features a green speck...
Ceramic
White Stoneware Vase - Gunnar Nylund - Rörstrand - Midcentury Vintage
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely white vase with a stunning egg shell speckled glaze designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, the vase is 16 cm tall. It is in excellent condition and marked as 1st quality. ...
Stoneware, Ceramic
Group of 15 decorative ceramic bowls, Rörstrand Mid-century Modern
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely group of fifteen bowls with stunning glazes designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane & Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand in the 1950s. The largest bowl is 17 x 11 cm in diameter and the sma...
Porcelain
Pair of table lamps “Rubus”, Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Pair of Swedish stoneware table lamps, model Rubus, designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand in the 1940s. A sculptural and refined design typical of Swedish Modern, combining organic...
Stoneware
Large table lamp by GUNNAR NYLUND
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Long Island City, NY
Large stoneware vase now a table lamp designed by GUNNAR NYLUND for Rostrand, Sweden , circa 1950th. " Rubus" series. Medium brown textured glaze. Marked by manufacturer. Newly rewi...
Stoneware
Group of White Ceramics by Nylund & Stålhane - Rörstrand - Midcentury Modern
By Gunnar Nylund, Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A group of six pieces of stoneware vases & one bowl with stunning white glazes designed by Gunnar Nylund and Carl-Harry Stålhane at Rörstrand in the 1950s. The vases are between 9 -...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Small Brown Ceramic Table Lamp by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s.
By Carl-Harry Stålhane, Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Gustavsberg, rorstrand studio
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful mid-century stoneware table lamp with amazing glaze Made by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s. Great original condition. Signed 'G.N.' and makers mark 'R'. So...
Stoneware, Ceramic
Midcentury Modern Large Ceramic Bowl Rörstrand AXK Gunnar Nylund, Sweden, 1950s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Wonderful largest model of the AXK bowl manufactured in the 1950s at Rörstrand, designed by Gunnar Nylund. The bowl has a wonderful glaze and it lifts the shape of the bowl to a won...
Ceramic
$195Sale Price|30% Off
Scandinavian Modern Stoneware Vessel by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand Sweden 1960s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Miami, FL
Swedish Modern stoneware pottery shallow vessel by Gunnar Nylund (1904-1997) for Rorstrand 1960s. Lovely mottled glaze on center and hare’s fur reddish brown glaze on bottom with inc...
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Gunnar Nylund Table Lamp in Bubble Glass & Silk, Strömbergshyttan Sweden, 1960s
By Strombergshyttan, John Colefax, Gunnar Nylund
Located in The Hague, NL
This very rare table lamp was designed by Gunnar Nylund and produced by Strömbergshyttan in Sweden in the 1960s. The elegant design consists of a spherical shaped base in bubble gla...
Silk, Blown Glass
Swedish Vase by Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand ca 1950s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Farsta, SE
Swedish Vase by Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand ca 1950s First grade quality. Heigth: 15 cm/5.9 inch Diameter: 8 cm/3.1 inch Gunnar Nylund (1904-1997) was a renowned Swedish ceramic art...
Stoneware
'Birka' bowls by Gunnar Nylund, Scandinavian Art pottery from Rörstrand, Sweden.
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Skarpnäck, SE
Pair of Gunnar Nylund “Sintra” Series Stoneware Plates, 1960s A pair of small signed plates/bowls by the celebrated Swedish artist and designer Gunnar Nylund, one of Scandinavia’s m...
Ceramic
Art Deco Bronze Bowl by Gunnar Nylund, Sweden, 1940s
By Sune Bäckström, Akta Brons, Gunnar Nylund, Just Andersen, GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful art deco bronze bowl with amazing patina. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Äkta Brons, Sweden, 1940s. Excellent condition. Initials 'G.N.' on the front. Stamped 'ÄKTA BRON...
Bronze
Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand Stoneware Bowl
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A heavy and well executed bowl designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand. Features dramatic colors in earth tones.
Ceramic
Stoneware Bowl by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund, rorstrand studio, Rörstrand
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful and rare stoneware bowl with amazing glaze. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s. Excellent condition. Incised signature 'G.N.' and makers mark 'R' ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Large Vase by Gunnar Nylund
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Long Island City, NY
A vase designed by Gunnar Nylund (1904-1997). Sweden. Chamottered stoneware with blue glaze. Marked by manifacturer. Minor chip.
Stoneware
Nylund Stoneware Table Lamp in Brown Hare Fur Glaze. 1940s.
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Bromma, SE
Rare and Unique Mid-Century Modern Handmade Stoneware Table Lamp by Swedish ceramist and designer Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden. 1940's. The body displays simplicity and the g...
Brass
Large table lamp by GUNNAR NYLUND
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Long Island City, NY
Large stoneware vase now a table lamp designed by GUNNAR NYLUND for Rostrand, Sweden , circa 1950th. " Rubus" series. Blue-brown textured glaze. Marked by manufacturer. Light scratch...
Stoneware
Gunnar Nylund, Vase, Stoneware, Sweden, 1940s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in High Point, NC
A brown-glazed stoneware vase designed by Gunnar Nylund and produced by Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s. Factory second
Stoneware
Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Beautiful stoneware vase by Gunnar Nylund, in an elegant, sleek form. Glazed white with a subtle “Mimosa” pattern. Gunnar Nylund was one of the most influential ceramicists and desi...
Stoneware
Gunnar Nylund 'Rubus' Stoneware Vase, Rörstrand, Sweden, 1965
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
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
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 the p...
Stoneware
Gunnar Nylund, Pitcher, Brown Stoneware, Rörstand, Sweden, 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in High Point, NC
A brown stoneware pitcher produced by Rörstrands, Sweden, 1950s.
Stoneware
$567Sale Price / item|20% Off
Rare Bauhaus Pistachio Green Ceramic Bathroom Lights, by Gunnar Nylund for Ifö
By Gunnar Nylund, Ifö Electric
Located in Bochum, NRW
Exquisite Bauhaus Wall Light Ceramic & Opaline Glass, designed by Gunnar Nylund and executed by Ifö Electric. Three pieces available, the price is per piece. Rare Ifö 6010 bathroom f...
Ceramic, Blown Glass
Grouping of Rorstrand Ceramic Vases By Gunnar Nylund & Carl Harry Stalhane 1950s
By Carl-Harry Stålhane, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Troy, MI
Superb grouping of three ceramic vessels by Rörstrand Sweden Circa 1950s Pitcher form SYE vase in muted blue glaze by Carl-Harry Stalhane 4 inch diameter 4.5 inch height Rust gla...
Ceramic
Art Deco Stoneware Vase in Brown and Gold by Gunnar Nylund. ALP, Sweden, 1930s
By Gunnar Nylund, ALP Lidköping 1
Located in Malmö, SE
A stoneware art deco vase with beautiful brown glaze. Foot and mouth detailed in gold. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for ALP (Lidköpings Porslinsfabrik), Sweden, 1930s. Excellent condit...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Gunnar Nylund Mustard Yellow 'Chamotte' Table Lamp, Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in The Hague, NL
This rare table lamp was designed by Gunnar Nylund and produced by Rörstrand in Sweden in the 1950s. The base is impressed with the Rörstrand logo, followed by “Nylund, Chamotte, Sve...
Stoneware, Fabric
Group of 7 Glass "Sommerso" Vases by Strömbergshyttan, Sweden
By Asta Stromberg, Gunnar Nylund, Strombergshyttan
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Beautiful set of seven "Sommerso" vases in purple and clear designed by Gunnar Nylund and Asta Strömberg in Sweden during the 1950s. Hand made with underlay glass technique (colored ...
Glass
Gunnar Nylund, Small Vase, Stoneware, Sweden, 1940s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in High Point, NC
A small green and brown-glazed stoneware vase designed by Gunnar Nylund and produced by Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s.
Stoneware
Gray Speckled Vase, Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Scandinavian Mid-Century Vintage
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely gray/blue speckled vase designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, the vase is 14.5 cm (5.8") high and 8.5 cm (3.4") in diameter. It is in mint...
Porcelain
Blue Art Deco Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1940s.
By rorstrand studio, Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful stoneware art deco / Swedish grace vase with amazing blue hare's fur glaze. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s. Goo...
Ceramic
Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By rorstrand studio, Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
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
A Black & Green Vintage Ceramic Bowl - Gunnar Nylund Rörstrand Midcentury Modern
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A black & green/brown bowl in ceramics, it is designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, the bowl is 16 x 12.5 cm (6" x 5") in diameter. It´s in excellent condition except from some sma...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Gunnar Nylund, Ceramic Carafe/Vase with Rare Pattern, Scandinavian Modern
By rorstrand studio, Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Ceramic carafe / vase with blue glaze and rare pattern by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand Sweden. Scandinavian Modern, mid-1900s. Signed. In good condition. Beautiful decorative shape ...
Ceramic
Set of 6 Rörstrand Miniature Vases by Stålhane, Nylund & Lundgren 1950-1960's
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane, Bertil Lundgren, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Beautiful set of six signed Rörstrand miniature vases, all first quality. The set comprises two by Carl-Harry Stålhane, three by Gunnar Nylund, and one by Bertil Lundgren. Each vase ...
Ceramic
Set of 3 Rörstrand Ritzi Pottery Vases and Bowl by Gunnar Nylund Sweden 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Krefeld, DE
Wonderful set of 3 Gunnar Nylund pottery by Röstrand Sweden from the 1950s. Beautiful green/brown/yellow glaze. In the set is: 1x floor vase height 51cm, diameter 18cm / 20,08inch,...
Pottery
$317Sale Price|35% Off
Glass Vase Gunnar Nyund for Strömbergshyttan, 1950
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Västra Frölunda, SE
Beautiful handblown glass vase by Gunnar Nylund for Strombergshyttan, Sweden in the 1950s. A sommerso vase featuring solid clear crystal with a beautiful translucent pale amber unde...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Mid-Century Swedish Stoneware Table Lamp by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Berlin, BE
Beautiful sculptural ceramic base in a warm, finely textured glaze typical of Nylund’s post-war stoneware work for Rörstrand. The form is compact and elegant, with a subtle organic s...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Gunnar Nylund, Vase, Stoneware, Sweden, 1940s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in High Point, NC
A beige-glazed stoneware vase designed by Gunnar Nylund and produced by Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s.
Stoneware
Set of 3 Stoneware Vases by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By rorstrand studio, Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Malmö, SE
A set of two beautiful stoneware vases and one bowl with amazing and rare glaze. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s. Excellent condition. First sorting. Incise...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Ceramic sculpture by Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, 1950s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Gunnar Nylund ceramic monkey produced by Rörstrand. Stamped. Very good condition.
Stoneware
Gunnar Nylund, Table Lamp, Stoneware, Sweden, 1940s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in High Point, NC
An off-white glazed stoneware table lamp designed by Gunnar Nylund and produced by Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 11.2” H x 4.25” Diameter Dimensions of Shad...
Stoneware
$8,438Sale Price / set|30% Off
Gunnar Nylund Pair Ceramics Table Lamps, Sweden 1940 New Belgian Linen Shade
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Forest, BE
This is an elegant and rare pair of table lamps. Each hand made creation is unique so it's a pair but with slight differences which make every lamps unique. These are real lamps, not...
Ceramic, Linen
Set of 3 Black Stoneware Miniatures by Gunnar Nylund. Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s.
By Berndt Friberg, rorstrand studio, Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Malmö, SE
A set of three beautiful black and brown stoneware miniatures with amazing glaze. Made by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s. Great condition. Signed with 'GN' and makers ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Large and Very Rare Purple Urn Gunnar Nylund - Rörstrand - Scandinavian Modern
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A really rare stoneware urn designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand. It is 33 cm (13.2") tall and in excellent condition except from a minor surface crack below. It is marked as the p...
Ceramic
Blue Stoneware Floor Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, rorstrand studio
Located in Malmö, SE
A rare and beautiful stoneware vase with amazing blue glaze. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1940s. Good condition. Factory second due to a glaze flaw on the rim, f...
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
Gunnar Nylund Rörstrand Rubus Table Lamp with Shade, Scandinavian Sweden 1950s
By Rörstrand, Arne Bang, Saxbo, Gunnar Nylund, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Tall ceramic table lamp by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden. It´s part of the "Rubus" series and was designed and made in the 1950s to 1960s. The lamp has a structured, tactile s...
Ceramic, Fabric
1950s Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand ARO Bowl
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A ceramic bowl designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand circa 1950s. Gorgeous glaze and great movement with the bowl, this could work in a variety of interiors. Other notable ceramic...
Ceramic
Ceramic Vase Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Scandinavian Midcentury Vintage
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A beige vase with a stunning beige glaze designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, the vase is 35 cm (14") tall. It´s in excellent condition except from some minor marks in the glaze w...
Stoneware
Blue Ceramic Vase, Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Scandinavian Midcentury Vintage
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A blue vase with a lovely glaze designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, it´s 24,5 cm (9.8) high. It´s in excellent condition except from some minor marks in the glaze and marked as 1...
Ceramic
Scandinavian Midcentury Set of 8 Rörstrand Ritzi Vases and Bowls Gunnar Nylund
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Brown / green collection of 8 vases and bowls from Rörstrand Sweden, designed by Gunnar Nylund in the 1950s. This collection contains vases and bowls ...
Ceramic
White Art Deco Stoneware Floor Vase by Gunnar Nylund. Rorstrand, Sweden, 1930s.
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, rorstrand studio
Located in Malmö, SE
A grand white vase in chamotte stoneware. Art Deco / Swedish Grace. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1930s. Great condition. There is a glaze miss on the inside of t...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Purple Sommerso Glass Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Strömbergshyttan Sweden, 1960s.
By Gunnar Nylund, Strombergshyttan
Located in Asaa, DK
Purple Sommerso Glass Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Strömbergshyttan Sweden, 1960s. Beautiful hand blown Swedish Mid-Century Modern small vase ...
Blown Glass
Large table lamp “Rubus”, Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Large-scale Swedish stoneware lamp, model Rubus, designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand in the 1940s. A sculptural and expressive design within Swedish modern, characterized by its ...
Stoneware, Teak
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. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s. Great condition. Incised signature "G.N." and Rörstrands three crowns. Gunnar Ny...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Brown Art Deco Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund. ALP Rörstrand, Sweden, 1930s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, rorstrand studio, ALP Lidköping 1
Located in Malmö, SE
A stoneware art deco vase with beautiful brown glaze. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand ALP (Lidköpings Porslinsfabrik), Sweden, 1930s. Good condition. But second grade becau...
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. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s. Great condition. Incised signature "G.N." and Rörstrands three crowns. Gunnar Ny...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Gunnar Nylund, Table Lamp, Stoneware, Sweden, 1940s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in High Point, NC
An off-white-glazed stoneware table lamp designed by Gunnar Nylund and produced by Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 9.25” H x 6” Diameter Dimensions of Shade (...
Stoneware