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.
Unique Stoneware Sculpture, Bertil Lundgren, Rörstrand, Modern, 1970s
By Bertil Lundgren, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A unique stoneware sculpture designed by Bertil Lundgren at Rörstrand in 1975. The sculpture is 32.5 cm (13") high and 16 x 16 cm (6.4" x 6.4"). It is in excellent condition and mark...
Stoneware
$635Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-century modern porcelain egg, by Sylvia Leuchovius for Rörstrand
By Sylvia Leuchovius, Rörstrand
Located in Skarpnäck, SE
A large unique and stunning vintage porcelain egg made by the talented Sylvia Leuchovius for Rörstrand, Sweden. This a very special item, a studio production and only produced in a v...
Ceramic
2 Ceramic Sculpture, Bertil Lundgren, Rörstrand, Modern, 1970s
By Bertil Lundgren, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
Two ceramic sculptures designed by Bertil Lundgren at Rörstrand in 1970s. The sculptures are in excellent condition and stamped Rörstrand BL. They are all in excellent condition.
Stoneware
Important Stoneware Sculpture by Tim Orr, circa 1970-1980
By Tim Orr
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
An important stoneware sculpture by Tim Orr. Handwritten signature at the base. Circa 1970-1980. One pair is avaible.
Ceramic
$2,798Sale Price|30% Off
H 17.72 in Dm 9.85 in
Midcentury Modern Ceramic Floor Vase Rörstrand Gunnar Nylund, Sweden
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
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
$1,713
H 8.67 in W 13.39 in D 9.06 in
Amedeo Fiorese Yellow Sprayed Ceramic Flower Vase Sculpture, Italy, 1970s
Located in Milan, IT
Artist Amedeo Fiorese yellow sprayed ceramic flower vase sculpture, Italy 1970s.
Ceramic, Paint
Ceramic and Metal Sculpture by Klaus Schultze, circa 1960-1970
By Klaus Schultz
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A ceramic and metal sculpture with black and red glazes decoration. Perfect original conditions. Signed under the base, circa 1960-1970.
Ceramic
$611Sale Price / set|30% Off
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
$1,799Sale Price|30% Off
H 4.34 in Dm 13 in
Midcentury Modern Unique Large Ceramic Bowl Carl-Harry Stålhane Rörstrand Sweden
By Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
This large unique bowl has a wonderful glaze. It’s made in Sweden at Rörstrand and designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane. There is only one of its kind and is therefore a spectacular piece...
Ceramic
Important Stoneware Sculpture by Tim Orr, circa 1970-1980
By Tim Orr
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
An important stoneware sculpture by Tim Orr. Handwritten signature at the base " Tim Orr ". Circa 1970- 1980. One pair is available.
Ceramic
$1,599 / set
H 4.34 in Dm 1.19 in
Rörstrand Set of 6 Signed Miniature Vases, Nylund & Stålhane, Lundgren, 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund, Bertil Lundgren, Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A rare and beautifully curated set of six signed Rörstrand miniature vases, executed in Sweden during the 1950s, representing the golden era of Scandinavian modern ceramics. Each pie...
Ceramic
$1,470Sale Price|40% Off
H 13.75 in W 3.63 in D 3.5 in
Clyde Burt Style Ceramic Sculpture, Mid-Century Modern, 1970s
By Clyde Burt
Located in Dallas, TX
Very beautifully done, three figures. Signed RZ in base, possibly Roger Zellner. Clyde Burt style as well.
Ceramic, Wood
$2,520Sale Price|40% Off
H 22 in W 17 in D 9 in
Large Signed Abstract Ceramic Sculpture, 1990s Organic Modern Style
Located in Dallas, TX
Creative abstract ceramic sculpture with many layers, hollow core, polished glaze. Stamped M$.
Ceramic
$1,827
H 15.36 in W 9.85 in D 3.94 in
Modern Stoneware Ceramic Sculpture by Regnier La Borne Architectural Form
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
By Regnier, in La Borne Modern stoneware ceramic sculpture realized in 2018. Brown and white stoneware wood firing ceramic colors. Architectural form realized in La Borne, F...
Ceramic
$1,729Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 6.3 in Dm 7.09 in
Midcentury Modern Unique Ceramic Pieces Carl-Harry Stålhane Rörstrand Sweden
By Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
These pieces of ceramics were made in Sweden 1950s for Rörstrand and designed by one of the great ceramic’s designers from Sweden, Carl-Harry Stålhane. There is a stunning nice light green color with unique cracked brown glaze. Even though so unique in its design it still gives that grace of Swedish midcentury...
Ceramic
$1,519Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 8.67 in Dm 3.94 in
Midcentury Modern Set of 4 Ceramic Vases Gunnar Nylund Rörstrand Sweden
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Set of 4 wonderful vases made in Sweden during the 1950s at Rörstrand factory and designed by Gunnar Nylund. The Vases are made in nice sculptural shape and with wonderful glaze. ...
Ceramic
$884
H 6.69 in W 7.87 in D 10.62 in
Mid-Century Modern Porcelain Tigre by Porcelain Factory Lomonosov, 1960s
By Lomonosov
Located in New York, NY
A Lomonosov porcelain tiger from the Soviet era, produced at the Lomonosov Porcelain Factory (LFZ) in Saint Petersburg around 1960. The piece belongs to the mid century tradition of ...
Porcelain
$959Sale Price|30% Off
H 9.06 in Dm 5.52 in
Midcentury Modern Ceramic Vase Gunnar Nylund Rörstrand, Sweden 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
This wonderful vase was created and designed by Gunnar Nylund at the Rörstrand factory in the 1950s, Sweden. The brown golden glaze is amazing and works wonderful with the shape a...
Ceramic
Stoneware Sculpture, "The Castle", by Carl-Harry Stålhane
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Imposing stoneware sculpture by Carl-Harry Stålhane, named “Borgen”, meaning “The Castle”, with a powerful and dense expression. Alternating glazed and unglazed areas, rough surfaces...
Stoneware
Rare "Mobile" Sculpture by Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand, 1953
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in Hägersten, SE
Rare "Mobile" sculpture by Swedish ceramic artist Carl Harry Stålhane. Handmade at Rörstrand workshop in Sweden in 1953. Made in only 25 examples. Made from porcelain with hand paint...
Porcelain