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.
Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
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 ...
Stoneware
Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful stoneware vase by Gunnar Nylund, in an elegant, sleek form. Glazed white with a subtle “Mimosa” pattern. Gunnar Nylund was one of the most influential ceramicists and desi...
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...
Porcelain
Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful stoneware vase by Gunnar Nylund, in an elegant, sleek form. Glazed white with a subtle “Mimosa” pattern. Gunnar Nylund was one of the most influential ceramicists and desi...
Stoneware
$6,000Sale Price|20% Off
"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...
Porcelain
Miniature Stoneware Vases by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Collection of six amazing miniature stoneware vases and platters by Gunnar Nylund. Made in matching forms, with a variety of colors and glazes, tied together by a graphic expression....
Stoneware
Light Blue Lidded Stoneware Urn by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Gunnar Nylund, rorstrand studio, Rörstrand
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 ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
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’...
Stoneware
Large Art Deco Urn Flambé 1930s - Gunnar Nylund - Rörstrand
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A large ceramic urn designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand. It is 30.5 cm (12.2") tall and in excellent condition. It is marked as the photo shows and it is marked as 1st quality, Th...
Ceramic
$2,360Sale Price|20% Off
"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...
Porcelain
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...
Stoneware
$658
H 9.65 in Dm 5.52 in
Blue Ceramic Vase, Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Scandinavian Midcentury Vintage
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A blue vase with a lovely glaze designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, it´s 24,5 cm (9.8) high. It´s in excellent condition except from some minor marks in the glaze and marked as 1...
Ceramic
$1,803 / set
H 6.3 in Dm 6.3 in
Midcentury Modern Rare Pair of Vases Gunnar Nylund Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
These pieces were made in Sweden at Rörstrand factory and designed by Gunnar Nylund in the 1940-1950s. This is the small size vase and the large vase called "Charmotte". The name in...
Ceramic
Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund, rorstrand studio
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful stoneware vase with amazing glaze. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s. Excellent condition. Incised signature "GN" and makers mark "R" for Rörstra...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, rorstrand studio
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful stoneware vase with handle and amazing glaze. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s. Great condition, some small glaze spots. Incised signature "G.N....
Ceramic, Stoneware
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
$628Sale Price|20% Off
H 8.67 in Dm 5.52 in
Art Deco Vase by Ilse Claesson, Rörstrand, Green and Black, 1930s
By Ilse Claussen, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely vase designed by Ilse Claesson in the 1930s at Rörstrand, Sweden. It is 22 cm high and in very good condition except from some craquelure in the glaze because of the age.
Porcelain
Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund, rorstrand studio, Rörstrand
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful stoneware vase with handle. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s. Great condition. Incised signature "G.N." and Rörstrands three crowns. Gunnar Ny...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Unique Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund, rorstrand studio
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful and unique stoneware vase with amazing and rare glaze. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1940s. Incised signature "NYLUND" and makers mark "R" for Rörs...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Large Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Gunnar Nylund, rorstrand studio, Rörstrand
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...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Brown Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund, rorstrand studio
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful stoneware vase with amazing glaze. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1940s. Great condition. Incised makers mark, Rörstrands three crowns. Gunnar Nylun...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By rorstrand studio, Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful stoneware vase with handle. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s. Great condition. Incised signature "G.N." and Rörstrands three crowns. Gunnar Ny...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, rorstrand studio
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful stoneware vase with handle and amazing glaze. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s. Good condition. Marked as factory second due to a minor chip from...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
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...
Stoneware
Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
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...
Stoneware
Sold
H 11.82 in W 4.93 in D 3.15 in
Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
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 ...
Stoneware
Sold
H 11.82 in W 4.93 in D 3.15 in
Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
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...
Stoneware
Sold
H 8.86 in Dm 5.28 in
Five Modernist Stoneware Vases by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
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....
Stoneware
Sold
H 10.63 in Dm 3.94 in
Three Modernist Stoneware Vases by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
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...
Stoneware
Miniature Stoneware Vases by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
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...
Stoneware
Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
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 ...
Stoneware
Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
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...
Stoneware
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...
Ceramic
Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
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...
Stoneware
Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
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...
Stoneware