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.
Gunnar Nylund, Large Brown 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
Glass Vase in Purple by Gunnar Nylund, 1950's
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Glass Vase in Purple by Gunnar Nylund, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Glass Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced by Strömbergshyttan in Sweden Dimensions (W x D x H):...
Glass
Glass Vase in Blue by Gunnar Nylund, 1950's
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Glass Vase in Blue by Gunnar Nylund, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Glass Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced by Strömbergshyttan in Sweden Dimensions (W x D x H): 1...
Glass
Glass Vase in Black by Gunnar Nylund, 1950's
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Glass Vase in Black by Gunnar Nylund, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Glass Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced by Strömbergshyttan...
Glass
Scandinavian jug by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, 1960s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in MONTESSON, FR
This Scandinavian jug, model AST, is designed by Gunnar Nylund for the editor Rörstrand in the 1960s. It is in very good condition.
Ceramic
Ceramic Vase by Gunnar Nylund, 1960s
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Ceramic Vase by Gunnar Nylund, 1960s Additional Information: Material: Ceramic Style: Scandinavian, Mid century Ceramic Vase Model AUF Produced by Rörstrand in Sweden Dimensions: (...
Ceramic
Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand Rare Footed Bowl, Stoneware Ceramic Blue and Brown
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Rare footed bowl designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand. Wonderful glaze with a amber body and tones of brown to blue. Unique design with footed base. Signed on underside with the "...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Swedish Mid Century Ceramic "Rubus" Bowls by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare pair of Swedish mid century ceramic / stoneware "Rubus" bowls by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand Sweden, 1950s. In good original condition and signed by the artist. Dimensions: H:...
Stoneware
Ceramic Sculpture by Gunnar Nylund, 1950’s
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Ceramic sculpture by Gunnar Nylund, 1950’s Additional Information: Material: Ceramic Style: Scandinavian, Mid century Produced by Rörstrand in Sweden Dimensions: (W x D x H): 14.5 ...
Ceramic
Glass Vase in Gray by Gunnar Nylund, 1950's
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Glass Vase in Gray by Gunnar Nylund, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Glass Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced by Strömbergshyttan in Sweden Dimensions (W x D x H): 9...
Glass
Gunnar Nylund Bowl Produced in Sweden
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Bronze bowl designed by Gunnar Nylund. Produced in Sweden.
Bronze
Gunnar Nylund Bowl Produced in Sweden
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Bronze bowl designed by Gunnar Nylund. Produced in Sweden.
Bronze
Gunnar Nylund Vase Produced by Rörstrand in Sweden
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Ceramic vase designed by Gunnar Nylund. Produced by Rörstrand in Sweden.
Ceramic
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Ceramic by Gunnar Nylund
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian ceramic by Gunnar Nylund: fish. Brown mat glazure, haze fur.
Ceramic
$2,282 / set
Rörstrand Vase + Dish, Gunnar Nylund
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Los angeles, CA
Rörstrand Vase + Dish Dimensions: 1.5"H x 6.5"W x 4.25"D 6"H x 2.5"Dia
Ceramic
Gunnar Nylund, Vase, mid century modern, Rörstrand, Sweden
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Here we have a beautiful vase by Gunnar Nylund. Bulbous base with a narrow stem, and glazed i light colours. Made by Rörstrand in th 1950´s. Good original condition.
Ceramic
Vase in brown glazed ceramic by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand Sweden 1960.
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Superb single-flower vase pitcher in chocolate brown glazed ceramic with a white rim, AUP model, monogrammed and marked under the base. An extremely refined object of great finesse a...
Ceramic
Swedish Mid-Century Small 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
"Nudes with Falcons, " Masterful Art Deco Covered Jar by Nylund for Rorstrand
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The largest "Flambe" piece we have ever offered, this covered jar with female nudes accompanied by falcons and leafing trees was designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand pottery in Sw...
Porcelain
$3,360Sale Price|20% Off
"Swans and Cygnets, " Important Art Deco Covered Jar by Nylund, Sweden
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Philadelphia, PA
One of the most ambitious Art Deco pieces in the "Flambe" style we have seen, this covered jar was designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand pottery in Sweden in the 1930s. Glazed in r...
Porcelain
"Sailing on the Nile, " Rare Covered Art Deco Box with Egyptian Pyramids
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Striking and rare, this round covered Art Deco box depicts two traditional boats with sails on the Nile River, with two of the great Pyramids of Egypt...
Porcelain
Gunnar Nylund "NSR" Dish Blueish Green Haresfur Glaze, Rorstrand Sweden, 1960s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gunnar Nylund "NSR" dish blueish green haresfur glaze, Rorstrand Sweden, 1960s.
Stoneware
Urn Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1936
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Urn designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1936. Stoneware. Signed. Dimensions: H: 78.5 cm / 2' 7'' D: 53 cm / 21'' Exhibitions: In Paris 1937 at the World's Fair, Gunn...
Stoneware
Swedish Ceramic Tray by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, 1940s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Organic stoneware tray designed by Gunnar Nylund. Swedish Modern ceramic hand made at Rörstrand in Stockholm during the 1940s. Leave shape with a greyish to eggshell glaze. Gunnar ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Monkey Sculpture by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s, Glazed Stoneware
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Stoneware. Signed. H: 15.5 cm / 6'' W: 19 cm / 7 1/2'' D: 13.5 cm / 5 1/4''
Stoneware
Large Glazed Stoneware Vase with Handle by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Göteborg, SE
The vase is in good condition, but as this is a second-hand assortment, there are minor cosmetic flaws. See close-up of the vase. Overall, the vase is in very nice condition. Nice to...
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
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 Vase Model Caolina Produced by Rörstrand in Sweden
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Caolina ceramic vase designed by Gunnar Nylund. Produced by Rörstrand in Sweden.
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
Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand 1967's Model 5 Vase from Eterna Collection
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
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