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Gunnar Nylund Urns

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
Art Deco Urn Flambé 1930s - Gunnar Nylund - Rörstrand
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
A ceramic urn designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand. It is 22.5 cm (9") high and in excellent condition. It is marked as the photo shows and it is marked as 1st quality, it has some...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Gunnar Nylund Urns

Materials

Ceramic

Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
Stoneware vase by Gunnar Nylund, in a beautiful, curvesome form. Glazed oxidized copper green, with a beautiful “Mimosa” pattern. Gunnar Nylund was one of the most influential ceram...
Category

1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Gunnar Nylund Urns

Materials

Stoneware

"Perch & Angelfish, " Unique, Ambitious Art Deco Covered Urn by Nylund, Rorstrand
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This ambitious, elongated urn with elaborate handles and a sunburst lid is beautifully decorated with perch on one side and angelfish on the other, all in tones of black, charcoal an...
Category

1940s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Gunnar Nylund Urns

Materials

Porcelain

Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Elegant “Chamotte” stoneware vase by Gunnar Nylund, in a stately form. Made in a technique where crushed earthenware is mixed into the stoneware. Rörstrand introduced Gunnar Nylund’...
Category

1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Gunnar Nylund Urns

Materials

Stoneware

Light Blue Lidded Stoneware Urn by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, rorstrand studio
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful stoneware urn with amazing relief pattern in the form of birds in trees. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1940s. Good condition. Factory second due to ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Gunnar Nylund Urns

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

"Man, Woman and Horses, " Striking Art Deco Covered Urn by Nylund for Rorstrand
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Gorgeously glazed in tones of rust, sable, ivory and chocolate, this unique lidded urn with foliated pinnacle and curving handles depicts a man with upraised arms and rearing horse o...
Category

1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Gunnar Nylund Urns

Materials

Porcelain

"Circus Scenes", Unique Art Deco Covered Urn w/ Ringmaster & Horse Rider
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Although this unique covered urn captures circus scenes that are decidedly populist in nature, this piece is highly sophisticated and emphatically Art Deco. Note the repeated geomet...
Category

1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Gunnar Nylund Urns

Materials

Porcelain

Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Beautiful stoneware vase by Gunnar Nylund, in a tapering form with a wide mouth, perfect for flowers. Embossed, graphic pattern with celodon green glaze and “Mimosa” flecks. Gunnar ...
Category

1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Gunnar Nylund Urns

Materials

Stoneware

Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Beautiful, tall stoneware vase by Gunnar Nylund, in an elegant, sleek form. Glazed a striking aquamarine color. Gunnar Nylund was one of the most influential ceramicists and designe...
Category

1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Gunnar Nylund Urns

Materials

Stoneware

Midcentury Stoneware Bowl by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Beautiful stoneware bowl by Gunnar Nylund, in an oval boat shape with an undulating edge. Large size. Purple and blue glaze with nuances of brown. Gunnar Nylund was one of the most influential ceramicists and designers of the Swedish mid-century period. He was Rörstrand’s creative leader from 1931 until 1949 and as such propelled the artistic work at the factory and served as mentor to younger artists, among them Carl-Harry Stålhane and Hertha Bengtsson. Nylund was a dedicated functionalist, who brought ideas of democratizing stoneware and creating beautiful, qualitative and affordable everyday items for the people to Rörstand in the mid-1920s. The factory had at the time lost its former leading market position, but Nylund’s efforts gave it a great reboot. He designed ceramic kitchenware...
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Gunnar Nylund Urns

Materials

Stoneware

Urn Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1936
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Urn designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1936. Stoneware. Signed. Dimensions: H: 78.5 cm / 2' 7'' D: 53 cm / 21'' Exhibitions: In Paris 1937 at the World's Fair, Gunn...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Gunnar Nylund Urns

Materials

Stoneware

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Brown Art Deco Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund. ALP Rörstrand, Sweden, 1930s
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A stoneware art deco vase with beautiful brown glaze. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand ALP (Lidköpings Porslinsfabrik), Sweden, 1930s. Good condition. But second grade becau...
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Midcentury Modern Rare Pair of Vases Gunnar Nylund Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
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Green Art Deco Chamotte Vase 'Hedgehog' by Gunnar Nylund. Rorstrand Sweden 1930s
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Gunnar Nylund, Vase, Stoneware, Sweden, 1940s
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A brown-glazed stoneware vase designed by Gunnar Nylund and produced by Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s.
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1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Gunnar Nylund Urns

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Stoneware Vases, Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, 1950-1960s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
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A vase designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, the vase is 24.5 cm high and it is in mint condition.
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Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Gunnar Nylund Urns

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Midcentury Stoneware Bowl by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
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1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Gunnar Nylund Urns

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Midcentury Modern Ceramic Floor Vase Rörstrand Gunnar Nylund, Sweden
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A gorgeous floor vase produced at Rörstrand and designed by maker/Designer Gunnar Nylund. Made in Sweden in the midcentury. Beautiful brown glazed in shifting dark earthy colors. Rar...
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1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gunnar Nylund Urns

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Ceramic

Gunnar Nylund, Vase, Stoneware, Sweden, 1940s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in High Point, NC
A beige, brown and grey-glazed stoneware vase designed by Gunnar Nylund and produced by Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gunnar Nylund Urns

Materials

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Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1930s
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A beautiful stoneware vase with amazing glaze. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1930s. Great condition. Stamped 'Rörstrand' in gold. Gunnar Nylund (1904-1997) wa...
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Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1930s
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Midcentury Ceramic Vase Gunnar Nylund Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s
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The green/brown glaze is amazing and works wonderful with the shape and form of this vase that’s a not so usual one to come by. Very nice condition. Dimensions: Height 24 cm,...
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Large Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund, rorstrand studio
Located in Malmö, SE
A large and unique stoneware vase with amazing glaze. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1940s. Incised signature "NYLUND" and makers mark "R" for Rörstrand. Great...
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Previously Available Items
Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
Stoneware vase by Gunnar Nylund, in a beautiful, curvesome form. Glazed sky blue, with a cloudy white, organic pattern. Gunnar Nylund was one of the most influential ceramicists and...
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1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Gunnar Nylund Urns

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Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
Beautiful, large stoneware vase by Gunnar Nylund, in a classic form. Glazed pale blue with “Mimosa” pattern. Gunnar Nylund was one of the most influential ceramicists and designers ...
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1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Gunnar Nylund Urns

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Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
Striking stoneware vase by Gunnar Nylund, in a bold asymmetric form, sometimes called the Nylund “Pike” vase. Brown and greenish glaze in an organic pattern. Gunnar Nylund was one o...
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Five Modernist Stoneware Vases by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
Set of five stoneware vases by Gunnar Nylund, in a variation of elegant, curvesome forms and sizes. All glazed beautiful eggshell white. Height 14/15.5/19/20/22.5 cm, Diameter 8-13....
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1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Gunnar Nylund Urns

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Stoneware

Three Modernist Stoneware Vases by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
Set of three beautiful stoneware vases by Gunnar Nylund, in imaginative, curvesome forms. “Mimosa” patterned glazes in eggshell white, pale green and cloudy blue. Height 18/25/27 cm...
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1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Gunnar Nylund Urns

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Miniature Stoneware Vases by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
Set of three miniature stoneware vases by Gunnar Nylund, in imaginative forms with rounded lines. Lovely glazes in nuances of terracotta, blue and steel grey. Height 6/6.7/9 cm, Dia...
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1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Gunnar Nylund Urns

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Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
Lovely stoneware vase by Gunnar Nylund, in a curvesome, tapering form. Glazed pale blue with a white “Mimosa” pattern. Gunnar Nylund was one of the most influential ceramicists and ...
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Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
Beautiful stoneware vase by Gunnar Nylund, in a plump form with a slender neck. Glazed pale greenish blue with a white “Mimosa” pattern. Gunnar Nylund was one of the most influentia...
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Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
Lovely stoneware vase by Gunnar Nylund, in a smooth modernist form. Glazed eggshell white. Gunnar Nylund was one of the most influential ceramicists and designers of the Swedish mid-century period. He was Rörstrand’s creative leader from 1931 until 1949 and as such propelled the artistic work at the factory and served as mentor to younger artists, among them Carl-Harry Stålhane and Hertha Bengtsson. Nylund was a dedicated functionalist, who brought ideas of democratizing stoneware and creating beautiful, qualitative and affordable everyday items for the people to Rörstand in the mid-1920s. The factory had at the time lost its former leading market position, but Nylund’s efforts gave it a great reboot. He designed ceramic kitchenware...
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1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Gunnar Nylund Urns

Materials

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Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
Lovely stoneware vase by Gunnar Nylund, in an onion form. Glazed eggshell white. Gunnar Nylund was one of the most influential ceramicists and designers of the Swedish mid-century period. He was Rörstrand’s creative leader from 1931 until 1949 and as such propelled the artistic work at the factory and served as mentor to younger artists, among them Carl-Harry Stålhane and Hertha Bengtsson. Nylund was a dedicated functionalist, who brought ideas of democratizing stoneware and creating beautiful, qualitative and affordable everyday items for the people to Rörstand in the mid-1920s. The factory had at the time lost its former leading market position, but Nylund’s efforts gave it a great reboot. He designed ceramic kitchenware...
Category

1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Gunnar Nylund Urns

Materials

Stoneware

Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Neat stoneware vase by Gunnar Nylund, in a drop form. Glazed eggshell white over a subtle graphic pattern. Gunnar Nylund was one of the most influential ceramicists and designers of the Swedish mid-century period. He was Rörstrand’s creative leader from 1931 until 1949 and as such propelled the artistic work at the factory and served as mentor to younger artists, among them Carl-Harry Stålhane and Hertha Bengtsson. Nylund was a dedicated functionalist, who brought ideas of democratizing stoneware and creating beautiful, qualitative and affordable everyday items for the people to Rörstand in the mid-1920s. The factory had at the time lost its former leading market position, but Nylund’s efforts gave it a great reboot. He designed ceramic kitchenware...
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Gunnar Nylund Urns

Materials

Stoneware

Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Lovely stoneware vase by Gunnar Nylund, in a sleek form. Pale celadon green glaze with “Mimosa” flecks. Gunnar Nylund was one of the most influential ceramicists and designers of the Swedish mid-century period. He was Rörstrand’s creative leader from 1931 until 1949 and as such propelled the artistic work at the factory and served as mentor to younger artists, among them Carl-Harry Stålhane and Hertha Bengtsson. Nylund was a dedicated functionalist, who brought ideas of democratizing stoneware and creating beautiful, qualitative and affordable everyday items for the people to Rörstand in the mid-1920s. The factory had at the time lost its former leading market position, but Nylund’s efforts gave it a great reboot. He designed ceramic kitchenware inspired by the ideas of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus, for use in homes, restaurants and inside refrigerators (a progressive idea in the early 1940s when it was launched). He is best known for his exquisite decorative stoneware items which include an abundance of vases, wall reliefs, sculptures and animal figurines. The materials range from velvety smooth stoneware to rough and chunky chamotte. Danish born, Gunnar Nylund started his career in Denmark following art studies, a year of architecture studies and years of private lesson from his sculptor father, the artist Felix Nylund. He worked for Bing & Grøndahl early in his professional life and started the ceramic studio Nylund & Krebs, later Saxbo, with his colleague Nathalie Krebs in 1929. He returned to Bing & Grøndahl throughout the years as a freelance designer. He also worked for the ceramic studio Nymølle from 1957 to 1961. Gunnar Nylund had a long and active career that except for stoneware included bathroom furnishing designs for Ifö, glass vases for Strömbergshyttan, a dinosaur sculpture...
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Gunnar Nylund Urns

Materials

Stoneware

Gunnar Nylund urns for sale on 1stDibs.

Gunnar Nylund urns are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of ceramic and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Gunnar Nylund urns, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original urns by Gunnar Nylund were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in sweden during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider urns by Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane, and Gustavsberg. Prices for Gunnar Nylund urns can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $482 and can go as high as $20,573, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,175.

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