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.
Gunnar Nylund, Eterna Yellow Bowl
By Gunnar Nylund, Gustavsberg
Located in MAASTRICHT, LI
Product Description: Gunnar Nylund, one of Sweden's leading ceramic artists, lived and worked all over Scandinavia being involved with Bing & Gröndahl in Denmark, Rörstrand in Swed...
Earthenware
$1,108 / set
H 7.09 in Dm 2.37 in
Midcentury Modern Set of 3 Rörstrand Ritzi Vases and Bowl Gunnar Nylund
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Wonderful blue glaze on these 2 vases and bowl from Rörstrand Sweden, designed by Gunnar Nylund in the 1950s. They are all in good vintage condition. Dimensions: Large vase H ...
Ceramic
$816
H 3.55 in Dm 11.62 in
Wilhelm Kåge Green & Brown Stoneware Dish, Bowl, Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1950s
By Wilhelm Kage, Gustavsberg
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Elegant dish, bowl by Wilhelm Kåge from the “KAPA” series. The design was a collaboration between Kåge and three colleagues Björn Alskog, Axel Pettersson, and Birger Arvidsson. Desig...
Stoneware
$320
H 3.15 in W 4.93 in D 6.3 in
A Black & Green Vintage Ceramic Bowl - Gunnar Nylund Rörstrand Midcentury Modern
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A black & green/brown bowl in ceramics, it is designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, the bowl is 16 x 12.5 cm (6" x 5") in diameter. It´s in excellent condition except from some...
Ceramic, Stoneware
$2,042
H 6.3 in W 10.63 in D 9.45 in
Midcentury Modern Large Ceramic Bowl Rörstrand AXK Gunnar Nylund, Sweden, 1950s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Wonderful largest model of the AXK bowl manufactured in the 1950s at Rörstrand, designed by Gunnar Nylund. The bowl has a wonderful glaze and it lifts the shape of the bowl to a won...
Ceramic
Gunnar Nylund Vase
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in San Francisco, CA
Stoneware vase with matte brown haresfur glaze. Incised "R, three crowns, SWEDEN, GN, ARK" on base.
Stoneware
Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand Pitcher
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in San Francisco, CA
A very small pitcher or vase in beige by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand. Impressed on the base with both the creator and manufacturer's mark. Very good vintage condition. No chips or ...
Ceramic
$466 / item
H 3.15 in W 4.34 in D 7.29 in
Vanilla Colored Ceramic Bowl by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1930s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Barcelona, ES
Small vanilla colored Swedish Grace ceramic bowl designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1930s.
Ceramic
$280
H 1.58 in W 4.53 in D 6.7 in
Brown Vintage Stoneware Bowl - Gunnar Nylund - Rörstrand Sweden 1950s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
A brown ceramic bowl designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand. This elegant piece measures 17 x 11.5 cm (6.8 x 4.6") in diameter and has a lovely brown speckled glaze. The bowl is in...
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
Stunning Green Bowl - Gunnar Nylund - Rörstrand - Mid 20th Century
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A green bowl with a stunning glaze below, it is designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, the bowl is 6.5 cm (2.6") tall and 21.5 cm (8.6") in diameter. It´s in excellent condition, ma...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Miniature Gray Bowl - Gunnar Nylund - 1940-1950s - Mid 20th Century
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A miniature bowl with a stunning glaze designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, the bowl is 3.5 cm (1.4") high and 6.8 cm (2.7") in diameter. It is in excellent condition. It is mark...
Stoneware
Melamine Salad Bowl by Gunnar Cyren for Dansk
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A plastic salad bowl with serving utensils in a vivid blue designed by Gunnar Cyren.
Plastic
Gunnar Nylund Set of 2 Bowls Model Aro in Blue-Glazed Stoneware, 1950s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Prague, New Town
Set of 2 bowls in blue-glazed stoneware model Aro designed and signed by Gunnar Nylund and produced by Rörstrands in Sweden, 1950s. Iconic pieces with an instantly recognizable shap...
Stoneware
Sold
H 1.58 in W 4.34 in D 3.75 in
Bowl in Blue-Glazed Stoneware Model Aro by Gunnar Nylund, Sweden, 1950s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Prague, New Town
Bowl in blue-glazed stoneware model Aro designed and signed by Gunnar Nylund and produced by Rörstrands in Sweden, 1950s. An iconic piece with an instantly recognizable shape, this ...
Stoneware
Set of Seven Bowls by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, 1950s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Hägersten, SE
Set of seven bowls designed by Gunnar Nylund. Hand made at Rörstrand during the 1950s. Varying multichrome glazes. Excellent condition on all bowls. All bowls signed. Sold as a set.
Stoneware
Large Gunnar Nylund Rorstrand Bowl
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in New York, NY
Large Gunnar Nylund stoneware bowl with beautiful black glaze. This example is the largest size made of the series. Rorstrand, Sweden, circa 1950-1960.
Ceramic
Gunnar Nylund- Rorstrand Bowl
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in San Francisco, CA
Rorstrand, Sweden, c. 1960, glazed ceramic, Rorstrand mark inscribed, additionally marked GN ASH.
Ceramic