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 Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
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
$769
H 9.65 in Dm 3.15 in
Stoneware Vases - Speckled Green Glaze - Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, 1950-1960s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
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
Ceramic Vase Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Scandinavian Midcentury Vintage
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
A ceramic vase with a stunning glaze designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, the vase is 20.5 cm (8.2.) tall. It´s in excellent condition and marked as 2nd quality. Gunnar Nylund 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 Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
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
Vase "Granola" by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand 1960s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Örebro, SE
Beautiful vase from the "Granola" series by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, 1960s. Signed with makers mark. Good condition.
Stoneware
Gunnar Nylund Vase by Rörstrand, 1950s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Gunnar Nylund, produced by Rörstrand. Stamped. Very good condition.
Stoneware
$568
H 10.44 in Dm 3.47 in
Vintage Swedish Stoneware Vase Eterna by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, 1960s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Västra Frölunda, SE
Elegant Mid-Century Modern stoneware vase from the 'Eterna' series designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, circa 1960s. The vase features a tall cylindrical form with a str...
Ceramic, 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
$331Sale Price|20% Off
H 8.35 in W 4.53 in D 4.34 in
Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand Olive Green Zenit Vase, 1960s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Organic midcentury modern muted olive, sage green Rörstrand pitcher bottle vase from the Zenit series. Designed by acclaimed artist Gunnar Nylund in the 1960s. Chamotte clay with han...
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Gunnar Nylund Ceramic Vase, Rörstrand, Scandinavian Modern, 1950s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely vase with a green/yellow color designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand. It is 19 cm high and in excellent condition. The vase is marked as 1st quality. Gunnar Nylund was b...
Ceramic
$948
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, Rörstrand, Berndt Friberg, Saxbo, 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
Gunnar Nylund Stoneware Vase AUQ Jug Rörstrand Sweden 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Basel, BS
Gunnar Nylund stoneware vase, model AUQ in hues of brown, beige and black. Hand-crafted in the 1950s in Sweden for Rörstrand factory. First cla...
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