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 Gunnar Nylund, Ystad-Metall
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
$660Sale 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 Ystad-Metall, Gunnar Ander
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
$495
H 8.04 in Dm 7.09 in
Mid-Century Brass Candelabra by Gunnar Ander for Ystad Metall, Sweden, 1950s
By GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget, Ystad-Metall, Gunnar Ander, Carl-Einar Borgstrom
Located in Malmö, SE
A brass candlestick with amazing patina. Designed by Gunnar Ander and made by Ystad Metall, Sweden, 1950s. Great original condition, only some light scratches. Gunnar Ander (190...
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 Gunnar Ander, Ystad-Metall
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
$1,026 / 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
Candelabra by Gunnar Ander for Ystad Metall, Sweden, 1960's
By Ystad-Metall, Gunnar Ander
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
$707
H 10.63 in W 8.86 in D 8.86 in
Gunnar Ander 4 Flower Candelabra Brass & Purple Glass, Ystad Metall Sweden 1960s
By Ystad-Metall, Gunnar Ander, Paavo Tynell, Josef Frank
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Four arm candelabra by Swedish designer Gunnar Ander (1908-1976) for Ystad Metall, Sweden. Made ca 1960s. The candelabra is made from brass and shaped as four...
Brass
Gunnar Ander Three-Arm Candelabra in copper and brass
By Gunnar Ander, Ystad-Metall
Located in London, GB
Mid Century free form copper and brass candelabra by Gunar Ander is elegant. It has three arms is suitable for regular candles. It is produced by Ystad-Metall, Sweden
Copper, Brass
$884 / set
H 12.21 in W 11.03 in D 2.56 in
Pair Black Metal Candelabras by Gunnar Ander for Ystad-Metall, Sweden, 1960s
By Ystad-Metall, Gunnar Ander
Located in PUTTEN, NL
These striking seven-armed candelabras are a testament to the refined craftsmanship and sculptural elegance characteristic of Swedish mid-century metalwork. Crafted from gracefully b...
Metal, Copper, Wire
$802
H 10.44 in W 11.23 in D 2.56 in
Candelabra in Metal and Brass by Gunnar Ander for Ystad Metal, Sweden
By Ystad-Metall, Gunnar Ander
Located in Bochum, NRW
Swedish Modernist candelabra by Gunnar Ander for Ystad-Metall. It has brass candleholders (stylized flowers) on 6 asymmetrical black enameled steel arms. Brass and black painted meta...
Brass, Steel
$920
H 16.15 in W 18.12 in D 3.55 in
Mid-Century Candelabra in Brass & Metal Gunnar Ander Ystad Metall Sweden
By Gunnar Ander, Ystad-Metall
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Swedish Modernist candle holders by Gunnar Ander. Produced by Ystad-Metall, located in the town of Ystad in Sweden. Stylised flowers in brass on 6 asymmetrical steel arms painted i...
Brass, Steel, Iron
$648
H 9.85 in Dm 8.67 in
Gunnar Ander, Ystad Metall, candelabra candlestick, brass & glass, Sweden, 1960s
By Ystad-Metall, Gunnar Ander
Located in Forserum, SE
A graceful mid-century candelabra designed by Gunnar Ander in the 1960s for the Swedish manufacturer Ystad Metall. Crafted from brass, it features five candleholders with blue glass ...
Brass