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.
Mid-Century Modern Double Ceramic Teapot by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in New York, NY
This refined Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian double teapot was realized by the esteemed Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand in Sweden circa 1960. It featur...
Ceramic
Gunnar Nylund - Rörstrand - Teapot
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
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 Swede...
Earthenware
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
Sculpture Ceramic Fish - Gunnar Nylund - Rörstrand
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely fish sculpture in ceramic designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand. It is 16.5 cm (6.6") high. It is in excellent condition except from some minor chips on the fish mouth. G...
Stoneware
Set of Midcentury Ceramic Bowls by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Barcelona, ES
Two midcentury ceramic bowls designed and signed by Gunnar Nylund (1904-1997) for Rörstrand. Earthy wabi-sabi color and texture. Dimensions...
Ceramic
Lovely Blue Ceramic Vase Gunnar Nylund Rörstrand - Mid century Vintage
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
A blue & green ceramic vase designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand. It is 17.5 cm (7") high and about 17 cm (6.8") in diameter and in excellent condition. The vase is marked as 1st q...
Stoneware
Swedish Ceramic Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, 1940s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Beautiful ceramic vase designed by Gunnar Nylund, manufactured by Rörstrand in Sweden during the 1940s. Made from stoneware with hare fur glaze in sand to red ochre color. Gunnar Ny...
Stoneware
$1,061
H 6.3 in W 3.94 in D 10.24 in
Modern Teapot "The Chinese Teapot" - Signe Persson Melin - Rörstrand Sweden
By Signe Persson-Melin, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely teapot of model "The Chinese Teapot" designed by Signe Persson-Melin at Rörstrand. The teapot is 26 cm (10,4") long and 16 cm (6.4") tall. It is in excellent condition. This...
Porcelain
Midcentury Modern Ceramic Floor Vase Rörstrand Gunnar Nylund, Sweden
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
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...
Ceramic
$2,182 / set
H 3.15 in W 6.3 in D 5.12 in
Midcentury Modern Ceramic set of 3 Bowls Gunnar Nylund Rörstrand, Sweden
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
This wonderful collection of 3 ARO bowls was created and designed by Gunnar Nylund at the Rörstrand Factory in the 1950s, Sweden. The glaze is amazing and works with the articulat...
Ceramic
$678
H 8.47 in W 5.12 in D 8.67 in
Brown Ceramic Teapot by Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A brown teapot in ceramics with a lovely harfur glaze designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane at Rörstrand, Sweden in the 1950s. The teapot is 21,5 cm high and in...
Ceramic
Midcentury Modern Large Vase Rörstrand by Gunnar Nylund, Sweden
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
This large, unusual stoneware vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand 1950s is gifted with light brown/green/red harefur glaze. And it has that stunning look of Nylunds great craftsmanship. It really gives a great impression. Signed Rörstrand Nylund...
Stoneware
Gösta Grähs Teapot Rörstrand Sweden Stoneware & Brass 1980s
By Signe Persson-Melin, Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Basel, BS
Rare small teapot by Gösta Grähs for Rörstrand factory in Sweden, 1980s. Hand-made stoneware with a beautiful mossy brown and rusty red glaze, finished with delicate brass handles....
Brass
Gunnar Nylund Brown Vase, Rörstrand, Scandinavian Design, 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely brown squared vase designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, the vase is 15 cm (6") high and 7.5 cm (3") in diameter at the top. It is in mint condition and marked as 1st qual...
Porcelain
Teapot Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
Teapot designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s. Measure: H 16 cm/ 6 1/4''.
Ceramic