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.
Vase Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Stromberg, Sweden, 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in CABA, AR
Introducing a striking example of mid-century modern design: the transparent glass vase with bubbles underlay, designed by Gunnar Nylund for Stromberg, Sweden, in the 1950s. This exq...
Art Glass
H 8.27 in Dm 4.73 in
Gunnar Nylund Rörstrand Vase 1950s Sweden
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Farsta, SE
Gunnar Nylund (1904-1997) was a renowned Swedish ceramic artist and designer known for his significant contributions to the field of ceramic art and pottery. He was a prominent figur...
Stoneware
H 7.49 in Dm 3.15 in
Rare Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Farsta, SE
Rare Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s The vase is marked as 1st quality and is in excellent condition. Heigth: 19 cm/7.4 inch Diameter: 8 cm/3.1 inch
Ceramic
H 7.09 in Dm 3.94 in
Gunnar Nylund Rörstrand Vase 1950s Sweden
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Farsta, SE
Gunnar Nylund (1904-1997) was a renowned Swedish ceramic artist and designer known for his significant contributions to the field of ceramic art and pottery. He was a prominent figur...
Stoneware
H 7.88 in Dm 3.15 in
Swedish Vase by Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand ca 1950s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Farsta, SE
Swedish Vase by Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand ca 1950s Model 'ARN', first grade quality. Height: 20 cm/7.8 inch Diameter: 8 cm/3.1 inch Gunnar Nylund (1904-1997) was a renowned Swedis...
Ceramic, Stoneware
H 7.09 in Dm 3.94 in
Gunnar Nylund Rörstrand Vase 1950s Sweden
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Farsta, SE
Gunnar Nylund (1904-1997) was a renowned Swedish ceramic artist and designer known for his significant contributions to the field of ceramic art and pottery. He was a prominent figur...
Stoneware
H 11.2 in W 6 in D 5 in
Gunnar Nylund, Pitcher, Stoneware, Rörstand, Sweden, 1950s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in High Point, NC
A brown stoneware pitcher produced by Rörstrands, Sweden, 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 11.12"H x 6.0"W x 5.0"D All items ship from Hig...
Stoneware
H 8.27 in Dm 4.73 in
Ceramic Vase Jug by Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Paris, FR
Scandinavian Midcentury Ceramic jug vase in har fur glaze green enamel Signed on back with "R" for Rorstrand, Sweden, and GN for Gunnar Nylund. 1950's Gunnar Nylund was born in Pari...
Ceramic
H 8 in Dm 3.86 in
Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand 1950s Modernist Gray Striped Vases
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund, Nordiska Kompaniet
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Rare set of two Scandinavian modern smooth porcelain vases by acclaimed designer Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand and Nordiska Kompaniet in Sweden. Light gray glaze with dark gray stripes...
Porcelain
H 12.8 in Dm 4.53 in
Gunnar Nylund Rörstrand Big Vase 1950s Sweden
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Farsta, SE
Gunnar Nylund (1904-1997) was a renowned Swedish ceramic artist and designer known for his significant contributions to the field of ceramic art and pottery. He was a prominent figur...
Stoneware
H 8.37 in Dm 2.62 in
Gunnar Nylund, Pitcher, Stoneware, Rörstand, Sweden, 1950s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed stoneware pitcher designed by Gunnar Nylund and produced by Rörstrand, Sweden, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 8.37"H x 2.62"W x 2.62"D All items ship from Hi...
Stoneware
H 8.47 in W 3.75 in D 3.75 in
Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand – Stoneware Vase, Sweden, 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Bergen, NO
Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand – Stoneware Vase, Sweden, 1950s A beautiful mid-century stoneware vase designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden. The piece features Nylund’s signa...
Ceramic
H 9.06 in Dm 5.52 in
Midcentury Modern Ceramic Vase Gunnar Nylund Rörstrand, Sweden 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
This wonderful vase was created and designed by Gunnar Nylund at the Rörstrand factory in the 1950s, Sweden. The brown golden glaze is amazing and works wonderful with the shape a...
Ceramic
H 11.62 in W 4.34 in D 2.56 in
Group of 7 Glass "Sommerso" Vases by Strömbergshyttan, Sweden
By Asta Stromberg, Strombergshyttan, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Beautiful set of seven "Sommerso" vases in purple and clear designed by Gunnar Nylund and Asta Strömberg in Sweden during the 1950s. Hand made with underlay glass technique (colored ...
Glass
H 13.39 in W 3.94 in D 2.37 in
"Sommerso" Vases by Gunnar Nylund for Strömbergshyttan, Sweden
By Gunnar Nylund, Asta Stromberg, Strombergshyttan
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Group of 5 “sommerso” type vases. Designed by Gunnar Nylund and Asta Strömberg. Manufactured by Strömbergshyttan in Sweden during the 1950s. Colored glass cased in clear glass techni...
Art Glass
H 13.39 in W 4.34 in D 3.15 in
Set of 5 Glass "Sommerso" Vases by Strömbergshyttan, Sweden
By Asta Stromberg, Gunnar Nylund, Strombergshyttan
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Beautiful set of five "Sommerso" vases in purple and clear designed by Gunnar Nylund and Asta Strömberg in Sweden during the 1950s. Hand made with underlay glass technique. (color gl...
Glass
H 13.39 in W 3.94 in D 2.37 in
"Sommerso" Vases by Gunnar Nylund for Strömbergshyttan, Sweden
By Gunnar Nylund, Asta Stromberg, Strombergshyttan
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Group of 5 “sommerso” type vases. Designed by Gunnar Nylund and Asta Strömberg. Manufactured by Strömbergshyttan in Sweden during the 1950s. Colored glass cased in clear glass techni...
Art Glass
H 13.59 in W 4.34 in D 2.37 in
Group of "Sommerso" Vases by Strömbergshyttan, Sweden
By Gunnar Nylund, Asta Stromberg, Strombergshyttan
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Group of 5 “sommerso” type vases. Designed by Gunnar Nylund and Asta Strömberg. Manufactured by Strömbergshyttan in Sweden during the 1950s. Coloured glass cased in clear glass techn...
Art Glass
H 13.98 in Dm 3.15 in
Set of Glass "Sommerso" Vases by Gunnar Nylund, Strömbergshyttan
By Asta Stromberg, Gunnar Nylund, Strombergshyttan
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Beautiful set of three "Sommerso" vases designed by Gunnar Nylund and Asta Strömberg in Sweden during the 1950s. Hand made with underlay glass technique. (color glass encased in cle...
Glass
H 3.94 in Dm 3.55 in
Set of Five Underlay Glass "Sommerso" Vases by Gunnar Nylund, Strömbergshyttan
By Strombergshyttan, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Hägersten, SE
Set of five "Sommerso" vases designed by Gunnar Nylund and Asta Strömberg. Produced by Strömbergshyttan in Sweden during the 1950s. Hand blown with underlay glass technique. Good vin...
Art Glass
H 9.85 in Dm 5.91 in
Midcentury Modern Gunnar Nylund 8 Vases by Strömbergshyttan in Sweden, 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Wonderful art glass vases designed by famous Gunnar Nylund and produced between 1952-1955 Strömbergshyttan in Sweden. This set of 8 vases are wonderful sculptu...
Art Glass
H 11.42 in Dm 2.76 in
Midcentury Gunnar Nylund Vases Produced by Strömbergshyttan in Sweden, 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Wonderful tall glass vases designed by famous Gunnar Nylund and produced between 1952-1955 Strömbergshyttan in Sweden. This set of 2 tall vases are wonderful sculptured and with its...
Art Glass
H 10.63 in W 3.94 in D 2.37 in
Scandinavian Modern Glass Sommerso Vases by Strömbergshyttan, Sweden, 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund, Asta Stromberg, Strombergshyttan
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Group of 7 “Sommerso” vases. Designed by Gunnar Nylund and Asta Strömberg. Manufactured by Strömbergshyttan in Sweden during the 1950s. Coloured glass cased in clear technique. All v...
Glass
H 13.59 in W 3.55 in D 1.97 in
Collection of Sommerso Vases by Gunnar Nylund, Sweden, 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund, Strombergshyttan
Located in Hägersten, SE
Set of seven "Sommerso" vases designed by Gunnar Nylund. Produced by Strömbergshyttan in Sweden during the 1950s. Done in underlay glass technique with clear glass and colored glass...
Glass
Mid Century Hand-blown Signed Ariel Vase by Gunnar Nylund
By Gunnar Nylund, Strombergshyttan
Located in Astoria, NY
A vintage hand blown glass vase with "bubble" ariel detailing by Gunnar Nylund for Strombergshyttan glassworks, Sweden. Hand engraved signature “Stromberg B948” underneath the base and original Strombergshyttan Sweden paper...
Glass