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Gunnar Nylund Building and Garden Elements

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.

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Creator: Gunnar Nylund
Scandinavian Modern Bronze Sundial by Gunnar Nylund, 1940s
Scandinavian Modern Bronze Sundial by Gunnar Nylund, 1940s

Scandinavian Modern Bronze Sundial by Gunnar Nylund, 1940s

By Gunnar Nylund

Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län

Beautiful sundial by Gunnar Nylund, made from bronze with great pale green patina. Decor of zodiac signs on the base in Nylund’s characteristic style. Gunnar Nylund was one of the m...

Category

1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Gunnar Nylund Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Bronze

Gunnar Nylund Ceramic Planters
Gunnar Nylund Ceramic Planters

Gunnar Nylund Ceramic Planters

By Gunnar Nylund

Located in New York, NY

Gunnar Nylund (1904-1977) Ceramic Planters circa. 1930. Made with lattice design work and stamped with a production seal at the bottom.

Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Gunnar Nylund Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Ceramic

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Gunnar Nylund building and garden elements for sale on 1stDibs.

Gunnar Nylund building and garden elements are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of ceramic and are designed with extraordinary care. Many of the original building and garden elements by Gunnar Nylund were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in sweden during the early 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider building and garden elements by Arne Wahl Iversen, Frederecia Furniture, and Nanna Ditzel. Prices for Gunnar Nylund building and garden elements can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,400 and can go as high as $1,400, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,400.