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.
Brown Double Teapot with rattan handle Gunnar Nylund Rörstrand Mid 20th century
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely brown teapot designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand. It is 23 cm long and in excellent condition. The teapot is marked as 1st quality. Gunnar Nylund was born in Paris 190...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Modern Double Ceramic Teapot by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
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
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
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
$870 / set
H 10.24 in Dm 2.76 in
Midcentury Modern Set of 3 Ceramic Vases Rörstrand Gunnar Nylund, Sweden
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Three wonderful vases from Rörstrand and maker or Designer Gunnar Nylund. Made in Sweden in the midcentury. Beautiful glazed vases in good condition. Measures: Height 26 cm, 17 cm...
Ceramic
Swedish Vase by Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand ca 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
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
Rubus Vase by Gunnar Nylund 1960s Rörstrand, Sweden
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Farsta, SE
Gunnar Nylund was a renowned Swedish ceramic artist and designer known for his work with Rörstrand, a prominent Swedish porcelain and ceramics manufacturer. "Rubus" refers to a spec...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Ceramic Vase Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Scandinavian Midcentury Vintage
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A beige vase with a stunning beige/white/Yellow glaze designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, the vase is 35 cm (14") tall. It´s in excellent condition except from some minor marks i...
Stoneware
Dish By Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Kastrup, DK
This striking stoneware dish was designed by Gunnar Nylund (1904–1997) for the renowned Swedish manufacturer Rörstrand in the 1960s. The dish is executed in a vivid azure blue glaze,...
Ceramic
Gunnar Nylund Rörstrand 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
$306
H 8.86 in Dm 3.35 in
Large Stoneware Vase, Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Brown Rubus, Mid-Century Modern
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A stoneware vase in the Rubus-serie designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, it is 22.5 cm (9") high. It is in mint condition but marked as 2nd quality. Gunnar Nylund was born in ...
Stoneware
Yellow Vase, Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Scandinavian Midcentury Vintage
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A vase with a yellow glaze designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand of model Granola, the vase is 26 cm (10.4") high and 7.5 cm (3") in diameter. It is in mint condition and marked as ...
Ceramic
Gunnar Nylund Brown Stoneware Vase, Rörstrand, Mid-Century 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A brown vase designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, it´s 26.5 cm (10,6) high. It´s close to mint condition and marked as 1:st quality. Gunnar Nylund was born in Paris 1904 with ...
Stoneware
$1,203
H 12.41 in Dm 6.11 in
Large Brown Vase Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Scandinavian Midcentury Vintage
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A large, brown vase with a stunning brown har-fur glaze designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, the vase is 31.5 cm (12.6") tall and about 15.5 cm (6.2") in diameter at the top. It´s...
Stoneware
Teapot Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Teapot designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s. Measure: H 16 cm/ 6 1/4''.
Ceramic