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.
Bauhaus Style Ceramic & Opaline Glass Wall Sconce by Gunnar Nylund, 1960s
By Wilhelm Wagenfeld, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pale yellow ceramic wall sconce by Gunnar Nylund for IFÖ Electric "Lyx" Series. Design echoes the style of Wilhelm Wagenfeld. Light is produced in the 1960s with clear Bauhaus influ...
Ceramic, Opaline Glass
Rare Bauhaus Pistachio Green Ceramic Bathroom Lights, by Gunnar Nylund for Ifö
By Ifö Electric, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Bochum, NRW
Exquisite Bauhaus Wall Light Ceramic & Opaline Glass, designed by Gunnar Nylund and executed by Ifö Electric. Three pieces available, the price is per piece. Rare Ifö 6010 bathroom f...
Ceramic, Blown Glass
Ifö Sweden "Lyx" Glass Wall Sconce Moss Green, Modern Bathroom Light, 1950s
By Ifö Electric, Sigvard Bernadotte, Gunnar Nylund, Lindner, Wilhelm Wagenfeld
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Rare original vintage wall sconce from Ifö, Sweden. It is from the series "Lyx" designed by Gunnar Nylund in the 1950s and it was manufactured circa 1950s to 1960s. It comes in a r...
Ceramic, Glass
$342
H 11.42 in W 3.15 in D 3.94 in
Scandinavian Minimalist White Dual Bathroom Lamp by Sigvard Bernadotte for Ifö
By Sigvard Bernadotte
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A dual Wall lamp suitable as bathroom or outdoor lighting. Designed by Prince Sigvard Bernadotte for the swedish company Ifö during the 1960s. Cream white glazed porcelain mount with...
Porcelain, Glass
$1,601 / item
H 9.45 in W 6.3 in D 5.91 in
Italian "Lancia" Wall Sconce in Brass and Opaline Glass by Stilux Milano, 1960s
By Stilux
Located in Brescia, Brescia
Refined and sculptural, this striking wall sconce — informally referred to as “lancia” for its resemblance to a wall-mounted lance — was produced by Stilux in the 1960s. The fixture ...
Brass
$649Sale Price|20% Off
H 11.82 in Dm 4.73 in
Vintage Porcelain Bathroom Sconce by Sigvard Bernadotte for IFÖ circa 1960s
By Ifö Electric, Sigvard Bernadotte
Located in Skarpnäck, SE
A desirable Mid-Century Modern double porcelain wall sconce for bathroom use, produced by IFÖ, Sweden, in the 1950s. This exceptional example stands out for its beautifully preserve...
Porcelain, Opaline Glass
$1,715 / set
H 7.88 in W 7.88 in D 5.91 in
Opaline Glass Wall Lights by Wilhelm Wagenfeld for Lindner, Germany, 1960s
By Wilhelm Wagenfeld
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Pair of mid-century wall lights designed by Wilhelm Wagenfeld for Lindner, Germany, 1960s. Each lamp features a softly rounded triangular opaline glass shade with a smooth, sculptura...
Porcelain, Opaline Glass
$1,109 / set
H 8 in W 4.75 in D 5.5 in
Pair Scandinavian Pine Wood Opaline Glass Wall Sconces, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A lovely pair of Danish designer glazed pine wood wall sconces, Denmark, 1960s. Very elegant design with opaline glass shades. These wall lights can be mounted with the glass shade f...
Pine, Opaline Glass, Wood
$3,200 / set
H 9.75 in W 5 in D 3.5 in
Stilnovo style sconces in opaline glass and brass, Italy circa 1960s
By Stilnovo
Located in Long Island City, NY
Stilnovo style sconce, Italy circa 1960s Made in Italy in 1960s Opaline glass, brass. Takes 1 candelabra bulb. FREE rewiring for US with a custom made backplate upon request. Price i...
Metal, Brass
$509 / set
H 7.09 in Dm 3.15 in
White Porcelain Bathroom Wall Lights by Prince Sigvard Bernadotte for Ifö, 1960s
By Sigvard Bernadotte
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A pair of sconces suitable as bathroom or outdoor lighting. They were designed by Prince Sigvard Bernadotte for the swedish company Ifö during the 1960s. White glazed porcelain mount...
Porcelain, Opaline Glass
Sigvard Bernadotte Set of 3 Wall Lights for IFÖ Sweden, 1960s
By Ifö Electric, Sigvard Bernadotte
Located in Paris, IDF
Sigvard Bernadotte set of 3 wall lights for IFÖ Sweden 1960s. A pair of wall lamps, model 6020, with a fine, horizontally striped surface texture, giving ...
Porcelain, Glass, Opaline Glass
$514
H 6.69 in W 7.28 in D 7.48 in
Vintage Ifö of Sweden Ceramic Bathroom Lamp with Opaline Shade from the 1960s
By Ifö Electric, Sigvard Bernadotte
Located in Skarpnäck, SE
This is a classic mid-century modern vintage porcelain wall sconce for bathrooms. Produced in the 50s by IFÖ, Sweden. This is a very soli...
Porcelain, Opaline Glass
$926 / set
H 8.66 in Dm 4.33 in
Vintage Ifö of Sweden Ceramic Bathroom Lamps with Opaline Shades from the 1960s
By Ifö Electric, Hans-Agne Jakobsson
Located in Skarpnäck, SE
A beautifully preserved pair of mid-century bathroom wall sconces designed by Hans-Agne Jakobsson for the iconic Swedish lighting manufacturer IFÖ. These refined fixtures exemplify J...
Porcelain, Opaline Glass
Vintage Porcelain Bathroom Light by Sigvard Bernadotte for IFÖ circa 1960s
By Sigvard Bernadotte, Ifö Electric
Located in Skarpnäck, SE
A rare mid-century modern double wall sconce designed by Sigvard Bernadotte for IFÖ, Sweden, circa 1950s. This elegant bathroom wall lamp is distinguished by its beautifully glazed ...
Porcelain, Opaline Glass
$1,200
H 3 in W 10 in D 3.5 in
Wilhelm Wagenfeld Bauhaus White Sconce Double Wall Light, Linder Germany, 1950s
By Lindner, Wilhelm Wagenfeld
Located in Vienna, AT
A Midcentury Modern double socket wall lamp/sconce dating back to the 1950s, designed by Wilhelm Wagenfeld. Its form resembles a zeppelin or cigar, crafted from porcelain with a white glaze and topped with two white opaline glass shades. We offer a matching white sconce as well as several others in different colors in our other listings. Executed by Linder Wandleuchten in Germany, this piece offers two E14 light sources and is preserved in very good condition. The lamp has a built-in switch, but it can be easily removed if you prefer to use it without. It has been rewired for modern use. Ideal for various settings, it is especially well-suited for bathrooms or as a vanity mirror light. Equipped with two E14 light sockets, it will be delivered with discreet, invisible adapters, ensuring effortless compatibility and hassle-free use worldwide and complies with the standards commonly used in different regions (USA, EU, etc.). Dimensions: Height: 3",Width: 10",Depth: 3.5" Wilhelm Wagenfeld was a renowned German designer recognized for his significant contributions to the field of industrial design. Born in 1900 in Bremen, Germany, he was particularly acclaimed for his works in the Bauhaus style and later contributions to modern design. His notable designs include the Bauhaus Table Lamp (1924), also known as the "Wagenfeld Lamp," the Kubus Chess Set (1928), a minimalist chess...
Porcelain, Glass, Opaline Glass
Sold
H 9.44 in W 7.87 in D 7.48 in
Large Vintage Porcelain Bathroom Sconce by Gunnar Nylund for IFÖ circa 1960s
By Ifö Electric, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Skarpnäck, SE
A rather large desirable Mid-Century Modern double porcelain wall sconce for bathroom use known as IFÖ wall lamp "6010", produced by IFÖ, Sweden, in the 1950s. This exceptional exam...
Porcelain, Opaline Glass
Sold
H 8.27 in W 7.88 in D 8.67 in
Swedish mid-century modern ceramic appliques 6010 Gunnar Nylund for Ifö, 1960s
By Gunnar Nylund, Ifö Electric
Located in MIlano, IT
Swedish mid-century modern ceramic appliques 6010 Gunnar Nylund for Ifö, 1960s Set of three wall lamps mod. 6010 with round base. The structure is in ceramic, the colors are blue, ye...
Ceramic, Glass
Sold
H 14.77 in W 3.94 in D 6.11 in
Pair of Ifö Sweden "Lyx" Glass Wall Sconces Yellow, Modern Bathroom Light, 1950s
By Sigvard Bernadotte, Lindner, Ifö Electric, Wilhelm Wagenfeld, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Rare pair original vintage tall wall sconces from Ifö, Sweden. They are from the series "Lyx" designed by Gunnar Nylund in the 1950s and they were m...
Ceramic, Glass