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.
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...
Bronze
$3,495
H 37.25 in W 15 in D 15 in
Large English Sundial of Composition Stone with Bronze Dial for the Garden
Located in Austin, TX
A large English sundial of composition or garden stone - featuring a bronze sundial inscribed with a sun, numerals, cardinal directions, along with a fixed gnomon (the shadow-casting...
Stone, Cast Stone, Metal, Bronze
Antique Georgian Style Armillary Garden Sundial
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A striking antique Georgian style armillary sundial featuring an unusual 20th century armillary sphere mounted upon a beautifully weathered Georgian era red sandstone column plinth. ...
Sandstone, Steel
English Mid Century English Bronze Sundial
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique mid century modern English bronze sundial. Suitable for interior and exterior use, this sundial has an impressive sculptural quality with a robust form, elongated gnome a...
Metal, Bronze
Reclaimed Neoclassical Style Armillary Sundial
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Add style to your garden with this reclaimed neoclassical style armillary sundial. It features a steel late 20th century garden armillary sphere above an early 20th century limestone...
Stone, Limestone, Metal, Steel
Austin & Seeley Antique Armillary Sundial
By Austin & Seeley
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An impressive antique sundial pairing a mid 19th century gothic style stone pedestal by Austin and Seeley (unsigned) circa 1840, with a 20th century s...
Stone, Composition, Metal, Steel
Antique English Decorative Buff Terracotta Garden Sundial
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A charming antique garden sundial featuring an ornate 19th century buff terracotta pedestal – possibly a work by Blanchard or Blashfield – with an earlier associated bronze sundial p...
Bronze
Vintage Scandinavian Nautical Sundial in Brass, 1950s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A stylish and large in- or outdoor sundial fashioned from solid brass. It was made on order to an Institution in Stockholm Sweden circa 1946-52. Measurements: H: 48 cm, Diameter: 31 ...
Brass
Bronze Sundial on Stoneware Baluster with Square Base
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
fleurdetroit offers for your consideration: This eternally functioning timepiece is a beautifully weathered 20th century sundial. Sitting atop a beautiful stoneware baluster, this v...
Bronze
George I English sundial, in patinated and engraved bronze
Located in Valladolid, ES
Baroque English sundial in patinated and engraved bronze. A beautiful scientific instrument, an original and unique English sundial, George I, 18th century, circa 1720. It is present...
Bronze
English Late 19th Century Sundial with Carved Limestone and Bronze Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English sundial from the late 19th century, with carved limestone and bronze top. This English sundial features an obelisk-shaped base, raised on a pyramidal plinth, with cut-off ...
Sandstone, Bronze
Reclaimed Armillary Sundial on Limestone Pedestal
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
This reclaimed armillary sundial is a handsome focal point for a walled garden or courtyard. The sundial features a steel garden armillary sphere dating from the late 20th century ab...
Limestone, Stone, Steel
Reclaimed Carrara Marble Seahorse Armillary Garden Sundial
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A stunning reclaimed Carrarra marble seahorse armillary sundial. This beautiful garden ornament sees a 19th century Victorian column pedestal, elegantly carved with vine and ivy dec...
Carrara Marble, Bronze
Scottish Sundial
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
An eternally functioning timepiece, this 19th century Scottish sundial adds a bold statement to every environment. Atop a grand sandstone pillar, thi...
Sandstone
18th Century Georgian Square Bronze Sundial
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large 18th century English Georgian square bronze sundial plate. This antique sundial was reclaimed from a country house near Newmarket, Suffolk. Though the bronze has been timewo...
Bronze
Tabletop Antique Garden Sundial
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Dating from the early 20th century, this small tabletop antique garden sundial sees a stylistically carved York stone base below a later horizon...
Stone, Bronze