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.
Chamotte Vase by Gunnar Nylund
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Zurich, CH
Beautiful vase in Chamotte ceramic in blue glazed finish made for Rörstrand, the vases were made from the 1930 - 1960's - beautiful piece and in very good vintage condition
Ceramic
Gunnar Nylund Vase Model AUF Produced by Rörstrand
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Ceramic vase model AUF designed by Gunnar Nylund. Produced by Rörstrand in Sweden.
Ceramic
Gunnar Nylund Vase Model Caolina Produced by Rörstrand
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Caolina ceramic vase designed by Gunnar Nylund. Produced by Rörstrand in Sweden.
Ceramic
Gunnar Nylund Ceramic Bowls Model Caolina by Rörstrand in Sweden
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Set of 3 ceramic bowls model Caolina designed by Gunnar Nylund. Produced by Rörstrand in Sweden.
Ceramic
Gunnar Nylund Ceramic Vase by Rörstrand in Sweden
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare ceramic vase designed by Gunnar Nylund. Produced by Rörstrand in Sweden.
Ceramic
Table lamp, Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, 1950's, Sweden
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
A great table lamp designed by Gunnar Nylund. Small in size and a great example of his style in the 1940's and 1950's. Signed and marked Rörstrand. Mid century modern. Glazed in brow...
Stoneware
Scandinavian Ceramic Pichet, Model AXQ
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Scandinavian ceramic pichet, model AXQ signed.
Ceramic
Pair of Table Lamps "Chamotte" by Gunnar Nylund, Sweden, 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of ceramic table lamps in bulbous shape by Gunnar Nylund, composed of chamotte clay and glazed with a white colored luster glaze. Produced by Rörstrand. Stamped.
Ceramic
Swedish Mid-Century Ceramic Bowl by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Lidköping, SE
Gunnar Nylund is one of the most respected Swedish ceramic designers of the 20th century. Nylund began his career at Bing & Grondahl’s Porcelain Factory in Copenhagen (1925-1929) bef...
Ceramic
Swedish Mid-Century Miniature Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Lidköping, SE
Gunnar Nylund is one of the most respected Swedish ceramic designers of the 20th century. Nylund began his career at Bing & Grondahl’s Porcelain Factory in Copenhagen (1925-1929) bef...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Pair of table lamps “Rubus”, Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
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
Gunnar Nylund, Offwhite Teardrop-shaped Glazed Vase, Sweden, 1960s
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in New York, NY
A beautifully glazed mid-century vase executed by Gunna Nylund for the venerable Swedish based ceramics firm Rorstrand. Signed.
Ceramic
Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand 1967's Model 5 Vase from Eterna Collection
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Mexico City, MX
Designed by Gunnar Nylund in 1967 for the Eterna Collection this cylindric, ocre and yellow glazed vase is a beautiful piece of Swedish ceramic design. Signed with Rörstrand "R", GN ...
Ceramic
Sculpture Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950’s
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Sculpture designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950’s. Stoneware and wood. Signed. Dimensions: H: 17.5 cm / 6 3/4" W: 20 cm / 8” D: 13.5 cm / 5 1/3” Gunnar Nylund was...
Ceramic, Stoneware, Wood