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.
A Rebus series model 12 vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in San Francisco, CA
A model 12 vase from the Rebus series glazed in brown and yellow tones by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand. Inscribed on the base with the makers and the manufacturer's mark. Very good v...
Ceramic
$1,514Sale Price|20% Off
Gunnar Nylund Magenta Chamotte, Porcelain Vase for Rorstrand, 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Exceptional Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern handmade chamotte clay and porcelain vase by acclaimed Swedish designer Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand. Chamotte body with shiny deep raspber...
Ceramic, Porcelain, Pottery, Stoneware
$2,160Sale Price|20% Off
"Grape Carriers, " Striking and Unique Art Deco Bowl w/ Wine Motif by Nylund
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Depicting a Black male figure paired with a white female figure carrying clusters of grapes and ancient wine jars, this unique and striking Art Deco ...
Porcelain
A Set of two Ceramic Bowls "Rubus" Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand Sweden, 1950s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Farsta, SE
Set of Two Ceramic Pieces, Rubus, Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Sweden. The bowls has a silky, textured surface with brown, green and yellow colors and faint glaze with a matt finish. G...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Gunnar Nylund Ceramic Bowl Model ARO by Rörstrand in Sweden
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Ceramic bowl model ARO designed by Gunnar Nylund. Produced by Rörstrand in Sweden.
Ceramic
Ceramic Vase Jug by Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Paris, FR
Midcentury Ceramic jug vase in brown bronze enamel Signed on back with "R" for Rorstrand, Sweden, and GN for Gunnar Nylund. Gunnar Nylund was born in Paris 1904 with parents who wor...
Ceramic
"Nude with Dove, " Rare Art Deco Bowl by Nylund for Rorstrand
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Before he became known for his organic forms and gorgeous glazes for the famous Rorstrand ceramic works in Sweden, Gunnar Nylund designed a line of very fine Art Deco pieces in what ...
Porcelain
Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in San Francisco, CA
A Gunnar Nylund vase in hare's fur glaze of tans and mossy green. Crafted by Rorstrand in the 1960s, and inscribed {R Sweden GN}.
Stoneware
Scandinavian Ceramic Bowl, Model ASH
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Scandinavian ceramic bowl, model ASH. Brown and yellow glazure. Signed.
Ceramic
Swedish Ceramic Tray by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, 1940s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Organic stoneware tray designed by Gunnar Nylund. Swedish Modern ceramic hand made at Rörstrand in Stockholm during the 1940s. Leave shape with a greyish to eggshell glaze. Gunnar ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Gunnar Nylund Large Ceramic Floor Vase Produced by Rörstrand in Sweden
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare and large ceramic floor vase designed by Gunnar Nylund. Produced by Rörstrand in Sweden.
Ceramic
Teapot in Stoneware and Cane by Gunnar Nylund, 1960’s Rörstrand
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Teapot in Stoneware and Cane by Gunnar Nylund, 1960’s Additional Information: Material: Stoneware, cane Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced by Rörstrand in Sweden Dimensions (...
Stoneware
Gunnar Nylund Ceramic Vase by Rörstrand in Sweden
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare ceramic vase designed by Gunnar Nylund. Produced by Rörstrand in Sweden.
Ceramic
Scandinavian Ceramic Pichet, Model AXQ
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Scandinavian ceramic pichet, model AXQ signed.
Ceramic
Scandinavian modern vase and bowl by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Small bowl and vase designed by Gunnar Nylund and produced by Rörstrand, Sweden, during the 1950s. Both with beautiful earthy toned glaze. Dimensions of bowl: Height: 1.97 in (5 ...
Stoneware
$256Sale Price|20% Off
1950s Rörstrand Gunnar Nylund Signed Stoneware Bowl - Scandinavian Modern
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Skien, NO
Stunning Scandinavian / Swedish Mid-Century Modern / Retro design deep plate / bowl in glazed ceramic / stoneware from the 1950s by Gunnar Nylund (Sweden, 1904–97) for Rörstrand/Rors...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Gunnar Nylund, Pale Blue Glazed Vase, Sweden, 1960s
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in New York, NY
A beautifully glazed mid-century vase executed by Gunna Nylund for the venerable Swedish based ceramics firm Rorstrand. Signed.
Ceramic
Monkey Sculpture by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s, Glazed Stoneware
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Stoneware. Signed. H: 15.5 cm / 6'' W: 19 cm / 7 1/2'' D: 13.5 cm / 5 1/4''
Stoneware
Stoneware sculpture designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Sculpture designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s. Stoneware. Signed.
Stoneware