Before Rörstrand and its contemporaries introduced ceramic serveware to Europe, people primarily ate off of metal plates. The Swedish ceramics company was pivotal in bringing porcelain from China to the Western world, and today, vintage Rörstrand ceramics are highly prized by collectors.
The company began in 1726 at Rörstrand Castle in Stockholm, under the direction of master porcelain maker Johann Wolff. Early works bore no stamp or seal to mark their origin, as the company had no competitors at the time. Once competing companies made inroads into the porcelain market, Rörstrand began to stamp its products.
With the rising demand for ceramic tableware, Rörstrand pieces filled the cabinets in the houses of the nobility, royalty and the social elite of Sweden and surrounding nations. The 1800s saw many technological advances for the company, as it began using steam presses to emboss patterns into material. The 20th century brought the company to international markets after it presented its Art Nouveau pieces at the 1900 World Exposition in Paris.
As Sweden was a neutral country during the world wars, Rörstrand was able to continue producing, whereas other companies shut down or shifted to making items for the war effort. Swedish artist-designer Gunnar Nylund created his most famous works — warm-toned matte-glazed Art Deco stoneware and more — while employed by Rörstrand. During the 1950s, Rorstrand brought on master porcelain maker Marianne Westman, lovingly referred to as “the Porcelain Mother.” Her design, the Rörstrand Mon Amie, became one of the company’s leading sellers. It was among many popular designs that she and her team developed. Westman continued with the company through the 1960s when it brought on other notable talents, such as designer Inger Persson.
In 1976, the company celebrated 250 years, and the Rörstrand Museum opened in Lidköping, holding over 15,000 pieces created by the historic ceramics manufacturer.
With almost 300 years of history, Rörstrand has survived numerous shifts in culture and design preferences, maintaining its heritage style, while smoothly adapting to new trends. With each decade, the company has debuted new designs, glazes, patterns and technologies, bringing new innovations and intriguing twists to traditional work.
Find vintage Rörstrand serveware, decorative objects, lighting and more on 1stDibs.
$761 / set
Candlesticks, Rörstrand, 1920s
By Rörstrand
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
A pair of Rörstrand candlesticks from the 1920s, designed by Ilse Claesson as part of the factory’s Serie V. Made of earthenware and decorated by hand with a stylised geometric patte...
Earthenware
Scandinavian Art Deco Ceramic Candleholder by Ilse Claesson for Rörstrand
By Ilse Claesson, Rörstrand
Located in New York, NY
This refined Art Deco glazed ceramic candle was designed by Ilse Claesson for Rörstrand in Sweden, circa 1930. It features a stylized hour glass form with a striated onyx glazed base...
Ceramic
White Art Deco Chamotte Candlesticks by Gunnar Nylund. Rorstrand, Sweden, 1930s.
By Wilhelm Kage, rorstrand studio, Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Malmö, SE
A pair of beautiful white candlesticks in chamotte stoneware. Art Deco / Swedish Grace. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1930s Great condition. No chips, cracks or ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Art Deco Disko Metal Candleholder by Just Andersen, 1930s
By Just Andersen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
- Large candelabra in disko metal designed by Just Andersen - Manufactured during the 1930s in his workshop in Copenhagen - This is model 155 and it features an octagonal base and ...
Metal
$220Sale Price|37% Off
H 8.5 in Dm 4 in
Swedish Modern Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand Ceramic Mustard Yellow Chamotte Vase
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Miami, FL
REDUCED FROM $350...Exquisite creation by Gunnar Nylund (1914–1997) during his tenure as artistic director of Rörstrand from 1932 through the 1950s. The vase has a glossy spicy mustard yellow glaze over a rough rustic body creating a smooth touch but a brutal look to the piece. The Chamotte line was first introduced in the late 1930s. Stamped on bottom with RÖRSTRAND, 3 crowns logo, SVERIGE, CHAMOTTE and NYLUND. Measurements: 4 inches diameter x 8 1/2 inches high. We have also listed a larger example of the same design in white. The last image is of the stamp on bottom of white vase for clear bottom...
Ceramic, Pottery
Art Deco Corinthian Column Candlesticks in Pewter, Sweden 1920s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A pair of candleholders in patinated pewter. Fluted design derived from Corinthian Columns. This design resembles the style of Sylvia Stage and Just Andersen. Made in Sweden during t...
Pewter
Swedish Art Deco Bakelite “Saturn” Candlestick, 1930s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Swedish Art Deco Bakelite “Saturn” Candlestick, 1930s A striking and sculptural Art Deco candlestick crafted in Sweden during the 1930s, executed in richly colored bakelite and conc...
Bakelite
$632Sale Price|20% Off
H 8.67 in Dm 5.52 in
Art Deco Vase by Ilse Claesson, Rörstrand, Green and Black, 1930s
By Rörstrand, Ilse Claussen
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely vase designed by Ilse Claesson in the 1930s at Rörstrand, Sweden. It is 22 cm high and in very good condition except from some craquelure in the glaze because of the age.
Porcelain
$525
H 3.25 in W 6.25 in D 4.75 in
Gunnar Nylund "ARO" Medium Stoneware Bowl by Rorstrand, Sweden, 1960s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gunnar Nylund "ARO" medium stoneware bowl by Rorstrand, Sweden, 1960s Measures: Height 3 1/4" (8cm) Width 6 1/4" (16cm) Depth 4 3/4" (12cm) Incised "R (Three Crowns) Sweden GN ARO".
Stoneware
$525
H 3.25 in W 6.25 in D 4.75 in
Gunnar Nylund "ARO" Medium Stoneware Bowl by Rorstrand, Sweden, 1960s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gunnar Nylund "ARO" medium stoneware bowl by Rorstrand, Sweden, 1960s Measures: Height 3 1/4" (8cm) Width 6 1/4" (16cm) Depth 4 3/4" (12cm) Incised "R (Three Crowns) Sweden ...
Stoneware
Large Art Deco Urn Flambé 1930s - Gunnar Nylund - Rörstrand
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A large ceramic urn designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand. It is 30.5 cm (12.2") tall and in excellent condition. It is marked as the photo shows and it is marked as 1st quality, Th...
Ceramic
$240
H 5.12 in Dm 5.12 in
Ilse Claesson for Rörstrand. Art Deco ceramic vase with geometric pattern, 1930s
Located in København, Copenhagen
Ilse Claesson for Rörstrand Vase, 1930s. Art Deco vase in glazed ceramic with a rounded form and turquoise and black geometric decoration. An elegant example of Rörstrand’s 1930s fun...
Ceramic
Art Deco Green and Black Vase by Ilse Claesson, Rörstrand, 1930s
By Rörstrand, Ilse Claussen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Art Deco at its best! A lovely green and black vase designed by Ilse Claesson in the 1930s at Rörstrand, Sweden. It is 11 cm high and in very good...
Porcelain
Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Stoneware vase in a clean form by Gunnar Nylund, the undulating rim softens the form. Vivacious blue glaze with purple streaks. Gunnar Nylund was one of the most influential ceramicists and designers of the Swedish mid-century period. He was Rörstrand’s creative leader from 1931 until 1949 and as such propelled the artistic work at the factory and served as mentor to younger artists, among them Carl-Harry Stålhane and Hertha Bengtsson. Nylund was a dedicated functionalist, who brought ideas of democratizing stoneware and creating beautiful, qualitative and affordable everyday items for the people to Rörstand in the mid-1920s. The factory had at the time lost its former leading market position, but Nylund’s efforts gave it a great reboot. He designed ceramic kitchenware...
Stoneware
Art Deco Cobra Candlestick in Silvered Bronze, 1920s–1940s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Art Deco Cobra Candlestick in Silvered Bronze, 1920s–1940s A striking and highly sculptural Art Deco candlestick in the form of a cobra, crafted in silvered bronze during the 1920s–...
Silver Plate, Bronze