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.
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 Gunnar Nylund, Sigvard Bernadotte, Wilhelm Wagenfeld, Lindner, Ifö Electric
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
$354
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
$1,200
H 3 in W 10 in D 3.5 in
Wilhelm Wagenfeld Bauhaus White Sconce Double Wall Light, Linder Germany, 1950s
By Wilhelm Wagenfeld, Lindner
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
$959 / set
H 8.66 in Dm 4.33 in
Vintage Ifö of Sweden Ceramic Bathroom Lamps with Opaline Shades from the 1960s
By Hans-Agne Jakobsson, Ifö Electric
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
$527 / 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
$1,007 / set
H 11.42 in W 3.94 in D 4.34 in
Set of 3 Ifö Sweden Green Wall Lamp Sconces + Shelf, Modern Bathroom Light 1950s
By Lindner, Sigvard Bernadotte, Stig Carlsson, Ifö Electric, Wilhelm Wagenfeld
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Set of two original vintage wall sconces and a matching shelf from Ifö, Sweden, made circa 1950s to 1960s. They come in the more rare to find pale green color version. The glass scre...
Ceramic, Glass
$639 / set
H 7.09 in W 3.15 in D 3.94 in
2x Swedish Sigvard Bernadotte Mid-Century Brown Ceramic Sconces, Ifö, 1970s
By Ifö Electric, Sigvard Bernadotte
Located in Andernach, DE
A set of 2 sconces, designed by Sigvard Bernadotte for the IFÖ Sweden in the middle of the 1960’s. These being a beautiful, Bauhaus-inspired example of Swedish mid-century design fea...
Ceramic, Art Glass
Vintage Porcelain Bathroom Light by Sigvard Bernadotte for IFÖ circa 1960s
By Ifö Electric, Sigvard Bernadotte
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
$135 / item
H 11.82 in W 3.94 in D 3.94 in
Vintage Ifö of Sweden Ceramic Bathroom Lamps with Opaline Shades from the 1960s
By Ifö Electric
Located in Søborg, DK
Vintage Ifö of Sweden ceramic bathroom lamps from the 1960s in white.. Designed by Sigvard Bernadotte. Opaline glass shades. Ceramic bulb holders for an E14 bulb Lamps can be used...
Ceramic
$108Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 11.82 in W 3.94 in D 3.94 in
Vintage Ifö of Sweden Ceramic Bathroom Lamps with Opaline Shades from the 1960s
By Ifö Electric
Located in Søborg, DK
Vintage Ifö of Sweden ceramic bathroom lamps from the 1960s in grey. Designed by Sigvard Bernadotte. Opaline glass shades. Ceramic bulb holders for an E1...
Ceramic
$1,066 / 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 wall sconces designed by Hans-Agne Jakobsson for the iconic Swedish lighting manufacturer IFÖ. These refined fixtures exemplify Jakobsson’...
Porcelain, Opaline Glass
$947 / set
H 7.29 in W 7.49 in D 7.49 in
Ifö Sweden Glass Wall Sconce light Blue Model 6030, Modern Bathroom Light, 1950s
By Lindner, Sigvard Bernadotte, Ifö Electric, Wilhelm Wagenfeld, Stig Carlsson
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
An original vintage wall sconce from Ifö in Sweden made circa 1950s to 1960s. It comes in a rare light blue color version and the glass screens are made from white opaline glass. P...
Ceramic, Glass
$94Sale Price / item|30% Off
H 11.82 in W 3.94 in D 3.94 in
Vintage Ifö of Sweden Ceramic Bathroom Lamps with Opaline Shades from the 1960s
By Ifö Electric
Located in Søborg, DK
Vintage Ifö of Sweden ceramic bathroom lamps from the 1960s in a light blue color. Model 6035. Designed by Sigvard Bernadotte. Opaline glass shades. Ceramic bulb holders for an E...
Ceramic, 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 Ifö Electric, Gunnar Nylund
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, Gunnar Nylund, Ifö Electric, Lindner, Wilhelm Wagenfeld
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