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.
18th Century Rococo Faience Cream Jug by Rörstrand, Sweden
By Rörstrand
Located in Ljungby, SE
A Rococo cream jug made of faience, crafted at the Swedish Rörstrand faience factory. The jug is painted in polychrome colors, featuring beautifully ...
Faience
$1,026 / set
H 1.19 in W 8.47 in D 1.78 in
18th Century Dutch Silver spoons by Adraen Pieter Dingemans, 1758
Located in Delft, NL
18th Century Dutch Silver spoons by Adraen Pieter Dingemans, 1758 6 silver spoons from the maker Adraen Pieter Dingemans (1740-1820) The spoons has the pattern of The Hague "Lofje" ...
Silver
18th Century Faience Jug
Located in Copenhagen, K
Beautiful German faience jug from one of the Northern German factories.
Faience
Antique 19th Century French Sterling Silver Rococo Chocolate Pot
Located in Miami, FL
An elegant 19th century French hallmarked sterling silver chocolate pot with embossed decoration. The pot is decorated with a band around the top. There is embossed decoration on top...
Sterling Silver
Swedish Rococo SIlver Saucer
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Swedish Rococo saucer standing on 4 legs. Decorated with pear beading and leaves.
Silver
Important Swedish 18th Century Faience Tea Table
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A rare faience topped Rörstrand tea table. The dished, moulded and shaped rectangular top decorated with a harbour szene painted in shades of grey (grisaille painting), on an elegant...
Faience, Mahogany
French 18th Century Copper Tortiere
Located in Round Top, TX
A charming 18th century Tortiere from the Southwest of France. This handsome piece is crafted from heavy gauge copper raised on feet with its lid. Tortieres were used to prepare an...
Copper
Cream Saucer in Silver, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
A cream saucer in silver made by and signed by Peter Fredrik Sundberg (PFS) who worked in Karlstad, Sweden. The saucer is also stamped L4 = 1840
Silver
18th Century Mahogany Strapped Tray
Located in High Point, NC
18th Century mahogany tray from England. The tray is made from a single piece of mahogany and the graining is fantastic. The tray is surrou...
Brass
18th Century French Copper Pan
Located in Round Top, TX
A very handsome mid-18th century Copper Pan from the Provence region of France. Beautifully crafted from heavy gauge copper with brass handles.
Copper
Georgian Sterling Silver Cream Jug by Henry Chawner
By Henry Chawner
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique George III English sterling silver cream jug made by Henry Chawner; an addition to our Georgian silver teaware collection. This exceptional antique George III sterling silver cream jug by Henry Chawner has a circular rounded form onto a pedestal with a circular spreading foot and square base. The upper portion of the body is ornamented with a band of bright cut engraved arched decoration with alternating leaf designs to the lower portion, emanating from the pedestal. The rim of the body is encompassed with an applied reed decorated border. This fine example of Georgian silverware is fitted with a narrow loop handle ornamented with plain applied moulded decoration. The underside of the spout is ornamented with bright cut engraved batwing style fluted decoration. The surface of the reed decorated foot and square base are embellished with further bright cut engraved and pin struck leaf motifs and simple paralleling border. This highly desirable antique cream jug...
Sterling Silver, Silver
French 18th Century Copper Pressure Cooker
Located in Round Top, TX
A wonderful 18th century copper pressure cooker from the Southwest of France. A great addition to any copperware collection.
Copper
18th Century English Pewter Charger
Located in High Point, NC
18th century large pewter charger with wide rim and molded edge, which is very elegant, especially for pewter, which was used more frequently for casual...
Pewter
Swedish Ceramic Teapot by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, 1960s.
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Asaa, DK
Swedish Ceramic Teapot by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, 1960s. Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern teapot in glazed stoneware with braided bamboo handle. Designed by Gunnar Nylund, made ...
Ceramic
Sylvia Leuchovius, Tray
By Rörstrand, Sylvia Leuchovius
Located in MAASTRICHT, LI
Product description: This item has been designed by Sylvia Leuchovius and produced by the Swedish firm Rörstrand. Sylvia is not as famous as Lisa Larson but definitely has a unique ...
Earthenware
Sold
H 5.75 in W 9.75 in D 7 in
Inger Persson POP Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Teapot w/ Strainer Rorstrand 1960s
By Inger Persson, Rörstrand
Located in Miami, FL
Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern POP Collection teapot by Swedish designer Inger Persson, b. 1936, for Rorstrand, Sweden. Persson started working at Rorstrand in the late 1950s and cr...
Ceramic
Stoneware Dish by Marianne Westman for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1960s
By Marianne Westman, Rörstrand
Located in Barcelona, ES
Shallow serving plate / dish / centerpiece designed by Marianne Westman for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1960s. Ceramic in an earthy colored, wabi...
Stoneware
Sold
H 3.35 in Dm 14.18 in
Classic Blue Chamotte Ceramic Bowl by Charlotte Hamilton for Rörstrand, 1940s
By Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A large chamotte stoneware bowl (plate) by Swedish designer Charlotte Hamilton (1883-1980) produced by Rörstrand 1946-49. Excellent vintage conditio...
Ceramic