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Gunnar Nylund Busts

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
Sculpture. Indian Chief. Signed Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand 1940s
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
A sculptured head of an American Indian Chief. It is said that this really is a self-portrait of Gunnar Nylund, the artist. It has its original wooden stand . The height is 42 cm wi...
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Gunnar Nylund Busts

Materials

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Gunnar Nylund busts for sale on 1stDibs.

Gunnar Nylund busts are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of clay and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Gunnar Nylund busts, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider busts by and Just Andersen. Prices for Gunnar Nylund busts can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,988 and can go as high as $2,988, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,988.

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