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 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
$779
H 9.65 in Dm 3.15 in
Stoneware Vases - Speckled Green Glaze - Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, 1950-1960s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A vase designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, the vase is 24.5 cm high and it is in mint condition. It has a stunning light green speckled glaze that is very rare to find. Gunnar ...
Stoneware
1960s Gunnar Nylund Brown Ceramic Vase by Rörstrand G.N. Sweden
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Knebel, DK
Gunnar Nylund brown ceramic vase in good condition with glaze in shades of brown. Signed by Rörstrand G.N. Sweden
Ceramic
$195Sale Price|30% Off
H 4.5 in Dm 2.5 in
Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand Scandinavian Modern White Chamotte Vase, Sweden 1940
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
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
Gunnar Nylund Brown Vase, Rörstrand, Scandinavian Design, 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely brown squared vase designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, the vase is 15 cm (6") high and 7.5 cm (3") in diameter at the top. It is in mint condition and marked as 1st qual...
Porcelain
Ceramic Vase Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Scandinavian Midcentury Vintage
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
A beige vase with a stunning beige glaze designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, the vase is 35 cm (14") tall. It´s in excellent condition except from some minor marks in the glaze w...
Stoneware
$195Sale Price|30% Off
H 1.25 in Dm 7.88 in
Scandinavian Modern Stoneware Vessel by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand Sweden 1960s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Miami, FL
Swedish Modern stoneware pottery shallow vessel by Gunnar Nylund (1904-1997) for Rorstrand 1960s. Lovely mottled glaze on center and hare’s fur reddish brown glaze on bottom with inc...
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Gunnar Nylund Vase by Rörstrand, 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
Gunnar Nylund, produced by Rörstrand. Stamped. Very good condition.
Stoneware
$959
H 7.49 in W 4.14 in D 3.55 in
Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand Vase AXZ, Midcentury Scandinavian Ceramic 1960s
By Gunnar Nylund, Berndt Friberg, Saxbo, Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Absolutely stunning glaze on this vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand Sweden. It's the model AXZ and it was designed and manufactured circa 1950s to 1960s. The vase has an elegant s...
Ceramic
$449
H 7.41 in Dm 3.75 in
Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand Igloo Vase Green with Stripes, Scandinavian, 1960s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
A rustic stoneware vase by Swedish designer Gunnar Nylund (1904-97) for Rörstrand, Sweden. It belongs to the Igloo series which Nylund designed in 1965. The vase is made ca 1960s to ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Scandinavian Modern Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand ca 1950's
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Örebro, SE
Beautiful Scandinavian Modern vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, ca 1950's. Signed with makers mark. Good vintage condition, wear and patina consistent with age and use. Some den...
Stoneware
Gunnar Nylund Stoneware Vases for Rörstrand Sweden, 1960
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Bronx, NY
Stoneware collection of 3 Chamotte vases by Gunanr nylund by Rörstrand Sweden, heavy colorful shiny glazes signed by the artist on the bottom.
Ceramic
Vase "Granola" by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand 1960s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Örebro, SE
Beautiful vase from the "Granola" series by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, 1960s. Signed with makers mark. Good condition.
Stoneware
Minature Vase by Gunnar Nyland for Rörstrand
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in London, GB
An elegant ceramic vase by Swedish designer Gunnar Nyland (1904-1997). Marked R N Rörstrand 1-1. An edition of one. Ideal for a simple dried flo...
Ceramic