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 Ander, Candelabra, Brass, Metal, Sweden, 1950s
By Ystad-Metall, Gunnar Nylund
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and black-painted metal candelabra designed by Gunnar Ander and produced by Ystad-Metall, Sweden, c. 1950s. Fits 0.8” diameter candles
Metal, Brass
White Art Deco Chamotte Candlesticks by Gunnar Nylund. Rorstrand, Sweden, 1930s.
By Wilhelm Kage, Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, rorstrand studio
Located in Malmö, SE
A pair of beautiful white candlesticks in chamotte stoneware. Art Deco / Swedish Grace. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1930s Great condition. No chips, cracks or ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
$674Sale Price|20% Off
H 4.14 in W 16.15 in D 6.5 in
Scandinavian Candelabra in Brass & Glass, Gunnar Ander Ystad Metal Sweden 50-60s
By Gunnar Ander, Ystad-Metall
Located in Brussels, Brussels
A Swedish Modernist candelabra by Gunnar Ander. Produced by Ystad-Metall, located in the town of Ystad in Sweden. Candle-holder for 6 candles in solid, polished brass glass cups in...
Brass
$220Sale Price|37% Off
H 8.5 in Dm 4 in
Swedish Modern Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand Ceramic Mustard Yellow Chamotte Vase
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Miami, FL
REDUCED FROM $350...Exquisite creation by Gunnar Nylund (1914–1997) during his tenure as artistic director of Rörstrand from 1932 through the 1950s. The vase has a glossy spicy mustard yellow glaze over a rough rustic body creating a smooth touch but a brutal look to the piece. The Chamotte line was first introduced in the late 1930s. Stamped on bottom with RÖRSTRAND, 3 crowns logo, SVERIGE, CHAMOTTE and NYLUND. Measurements: 4 inches diameter x 8 1/2 inches high. We have also listed a larger example of the same design in white. The last image is of the stamp on bottom of white vase for clear bottom...
Ceramic, Pottery
$1,048 / set
H 5.12 in W 7.88 in D 2.76 in
Gunnar Ander, Pair of Candelabra, Brass, Glass, Ystad Metall, Sweden, 1950s
By Ystad-Metall, Gunnar Ander
Located in Bochum, NRW
This elegant pair of floral candle holders was designed by Gunnar Ander for Ystad Metall, a Swedish metalworks company renowned for its refined decorative objects during the mid-20th...
Brass
$600Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.25 in W 7.75 in D 2.75 in
Gunnar Ander Small Candelabra Brass Ystad Metall Sweden, 1950s
By Gunnar Ander, Ystad-Metall
Located in Stockholm, SE
A brass and metal candelabra designed by Gunnar Ander and produced by Ystad-Metall, Sweden, 1950s. fits 0.45” diameter candles
Metal, Brass
Gunnar Ander Large Candelabra for Ystad Metall, Sweden, 1960s
By Ystad-Metall, Gunnar Ander
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Large Candleholder by Gunnar Ander for Ystad Metall, Sweden, 1960s 6 arms with 6 flower candlesticks. Black lacquered metal and brass Marked under the base. This model is the large o...
Metal, Brass
Scandinavian Functionalist Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund, 1930s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Striking “Hedgehog” vase by Gunnar Nylund, made in chamotte stoneware. The clean form contrasts with the craggy surface. Eggshell white, glossy glaze. The model was introduced aroun...
Stoneware
$525
H 3.25 in W 6.25 in D 4.75 in
Gunnar Nylund "ARO" Medium Stoneware Bowl by Rorstrand, Sweden, 1960s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gunnar Nylund "ARO" medium stoneware bowl by Rorstrand, Sweden, 1960s Measures: Height 3 1/4" (8cm) Width 6 1/4" (16cm) Depth 4 3/4" (12cm) Incised "R (Three Crowns) Sweden ...
Stoneware
Candelabra by Gunnar Ander for Ystad Metall, Sweden, 1960's
By Gunnar Ander, Ystad-Metall
Located in London, GB
Gunnar Ander born, in 1976 Sweden, designed the candelabra for Ystad Metall, Sweden 1960's made of black lacquered metal arms and have six brass cup shaped candle holders for regular...
Brass, Metal
$1,385
H 4.93 in Dm 3.55 in
Mid-Cenury Modern "Chamotte" Vase in Corn Blue Color by Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
By rorstrand studio, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Mid-Century Modern "chamotte" vase in corn blue color by Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand. A small and wonderful vase named the "hedgehog". This example Is perfect. No chips or remarks, as t...
Ceramic
$2,349 / set
H 5.32 in Dm 3.15 in
Set of 10 Brass Scandinavian Candlesticks, Gunnar Ander Ystad Metall Sweden 1950
By Paavo Tynell, Ystad-Metall, Josef Frank, Pierre Forsell, Gunnar Ander
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Set of 10 modernist candlesticks designed by Gunnar Ander. Their formal language remind the Swedish Grace style. Produced by Ystad-Metall, located in the town of Ystad in Sweden. C...
Brass
Swedish Ceramic Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, 1940s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Beautiful ceramic vase designed by Gunnar Nylund, manufactured by Rörstrand in Sweden during the 1940s. Made from stoneware with hare fur glaze in sand to red ochre color. Gunnar Ny...
Stoneware
$195Sale Price|30% Off
H 4.5 in Dm 2.5 in
Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand Scandinavian Modern White Chamotte Vase, Sweden 1940
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Miami, FL
REDUCED FROM $280....Exquisite creation by Gunnar Nylund (1914–1997) during his tenure as artistic director of Rörstrand from 1932 through the 1950s. The vase has a glossy white glaz...
Ceramic, Pottery
Vintage 70s Candleholders by Gunnar Nylund for Marco Stentøj
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in San Antonio, TX
1970's Danish candleholders for Marco Stentøj are sold in three and can hold regular sized candles. Set of three small, medium and large candleholders are hare's fur glazed stoneware...
Stoneware