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.
Harald Salomon Rörstrand Blanc de Chine Porcelain Figurine Set, 1943
By Rörstrand, Harald Salomon
Located in Bochum, NRW
Harald Salomon for Rörstrand - Blanc de Chine White Glazed Porcelain Set of Six Figurines, 1943-1945 Exceptional set of six Blanc de Chine hard‑paste porcelain figurines designed by ...
Porcelain
Pair of Vintage Blanc de Chine Bird or Parrot Figures
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Striking pair of French blanc de chine porcelain life size parrots or cockatoos casually perched on grapevines.
Porcelain
Vintage Italian Este Blanc De Chine Glazed Ceramic Fruit Bowl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Add a touch of European elegance to your table setting with our Vintage Italian Este Blanc De Chine Glazed Ceramic Fruit Bowl. Crafted with exquisite attention to detail, this timeless piece combines Italian craftsmanship with American sophistication, offering a stunning centerpiece for showcasing your favorite fruits with style and grace.
Ceramic
Petite Blanc de Chine Porcelain Cat Sculpture, Vintage
Located in Yonkers, NY
This petite vintage Blanc de Chine porcelain cat is a charming and elegant decorative piece that captures the serene beauty of a cat in repose. Crafted with meticulous attention to d...
Porcelain
$195 / set
H 7.25 in W 2.5 in D 1.5 in
Mid-20th Century Blanc de Chine Porcelain Figures of Quan Yin, Pair
Located in Elkhart, IN
A serene pair of blanc de chine figures depicting Quan Yin, the bodhisattva of compassion, rendered in softly modeled white porcelain. Each figure carries subtle variation in gesture...
Porcelain
Pair of Blanc-de-Chine Dehua Figures of Guanyin
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A Pair Of Blanc - De - Chine Dehua Figures Of Guanyin Early 20th century Each figure is modelled standing in flowing robes upon a lotus leaf decorated stand, holding a fl...
Porcelain
Blanc De Chine Chinoiserie Porcelain Figure of Quanyin
Located in Elkhart, IN
A stunning vintage Blanc de Chine porcelain figure of Quanyin, the Chinese goddess of mercy China, Circa Mid-20th Century Measures: 4"W x 3.5"D x 12"H Good original vintage condit...
Porcelain
Large Chinese Porcelain Blanc De Chine Figural Group, Circa 1880
Located in New York, NY
Depicting a seated Guanyin surrounded by two attendants and two musicians all set onto a gnarled boat or raft above turbulent waves, a branch of blossom...
Porcelain
Large Blanc de Chine Berlin Porcelain Vase
By KPM Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
This tall, slender, blanc de chine porcelain vase was made around 1910 in Berlin by KPM, and was probably designed by Alexander Kips. Blending elements of the Art Nouveau and Rococo ...
Porcelain
$1,500
H 9 in W 5 in D 4.13 in
Nymphenburg Blanc de Chine Porcelain 'Lion Baroque' Figurine with Bavarian Crest
By Nymphenburg Porcelain, Joseph Wackerle
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine German porcelain figurine. By Nymphenburg Porcelain. Entitled 'Lion Baroque', designed by Josef Wackerle. In the form of a rampant lion with the Bavarian lesser coat of arm...
Porcelain
Set of 2 Lovely Dehua Blanc de Chine Foo Lions Sculpture, 20th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely made piece. Late 20th century and of nice quality. Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of Origin: China Decoration Type / Colour: Monochrome P...
Porcelain
$18,950Sale Price / set|45% Off
H 18.75 in W 10 in D 11.5 in
Chinese Set of Eighteen Blanc de Chine Enameled Ceramic Arhats or Luohan Buddhas
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare set of eighteen Blanc de Chine Style Enameled - Glazed Ceramic Arhat, also known as Luohans, the disciples of Buddha, each bearing the mark and style of the Chinese maker Zeng Longsheng. The Eighteen Arhats (or Luohan) (Chinese: ????; pinyin: Shíba Luóhàn; Wade–Giles: Shih-pa Lo-han) are depicted in Mahayana Buddhism as the original followers of Gautama Buddha (arhat) who have followed the Noble Eightfold Path...
Ceramic
Blanc de Chine Deer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A charming blanc de chine porcelain deer with painted hoofs.
Porcelain
Stoneware Shell Sculpture by Gunnar Nylund
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Stunning stoneware sculpture by Gunnar Nylund in the shape of a shell. Beautifully executed with close resemblance to a real shell. Muted green glaze with a thin grainy red glaze run...
Stoneware
Statue of the Roman Wine God Bacchus, Rörstrand, Sweden, 1944
By Rörstrand, Harald Salomon
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
The portrait made as small staty of Bacchus the roman wine god for Rörstrand in 1944, designed by Danish designer Harald Salomon. Bacchus has wonderful detail...
Ceramic
Kerstin Hörnlund, Ceramic Apple for Rörstrand, 1960s
By Rörstrand
Located in Uppsala, SE
Wonderful multicolored ceramic apple designed by Kerstin Hörnlund for Rörstrand and produced in the 1960s. Hörnlund designed two different apples and ...
Ceramic
Tall Rare Ceramic Figure by Olle Alberius for Rörstrand
By Rörstrand, Olle Alberius
Located in Barcelona, ES
Rare glazed ceramic figure made by Olle Alberius for Rörstrand, Sweden 1960s. Signature "OA" outside, on the bottom of the dress.
Ceramic