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.
Decorative Ceramic Tray by Sylvia Leuchovius for Rörstrand, Sweden
By Sylvia Leuchovius, Rörstrand
Located in Goteborg, SE
Decorative tray by the Swedish artist Sylvia Leuchovius. (1915-2003). Leuchovius was one of Rörstrands most prolific artists for almost 30 years. This tray is a typical example of he...
Ceramic
Swedish Ceramic Teapot by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, 1960s.
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
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
$2,500
Rococo Faience Cream Jug
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
Victorian Sterling Silver Coffee Jug
By Joseph Angell & Son
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver coffee jug made by Joseph Angell I & Joseph Angell II; an addition to our antique silverware collection. This exceptional antique sterling silver coffee jug, in sterling standard, has a baluster form. The body of this Victorian coffee jug is embellished with an impressive broad band of bright cut ornamentation depicting connected Grecian figures intertwined with long flowing fabric, all on a matte background. This narrative scene is flanked with an impressive interlacing leaf decorated border to the lower portion and a scrolling Akroter decorated band to the upper portion, in addition to plain moulded borders to the rims. This impressive antique coffee jug is fitted with a flush hinged hallmarked cover encircled with a bright cut engraved undulating band; the flush indicates the high quality of the piece. The cover is surmounted by the original sterling silver finial in the formation of a flower comprised of scrolling leaf designs and textures. The coffee jug retains the original rounded sterling silver handle, incorporating a leaf design to the upper portion and an exceptional leaf design to the lower socket. The interior of this impressive example of Victorian silverware retains the original gilding. This versatile jug could be functionally used for coffee or water. This exceptional antique Victorian coffee pot...
Silver, Sterling Silver
French Faience Egg Cup, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Rustic French Faience Egg cup circa 1900. Painted flowers pattern. Desvres or Quimper style.
Ceramic, Faience
Swedish Vase by Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand ca 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Farsta, SE
Swedish Vase by Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand ca 1950s Model 'ARN', first grade quality. Height: 20 cm/7.8 inch Diameter: 8 cm/3.1 inch Gunnar Nylund (1904-1997) was a renowned Swedis...
Ceramic, Stoneware
$251
H 1.97 in W 2.96 in D 3.94 in
A Blue Vintage Ceramic Bowl - Gunnar Nylund - Rörstrand Sweden 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A blue/gray bowl in ceramics, it is designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, the bowl is 10 x 7.5 cm (4" x 3") in diameter. It´s in excellent condition except from a tiny mark on the ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
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
Sculpture Ceramic Fish - Gunnar Nylund - Rörstrand
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely fish sculpture in ceramic designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand. It is 16.5 cm (6.6") high. It is in excellent condition except from some minor chips on the fish mouth. G...
Stoneware
Rare Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Farsta, SE
Rare Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s The vase is marked as 1st quality and is in excellent condition. Heigth: 19 cm/7.4 inch Diameter: 8 cm/3.1 inch
Ceramic
Group of 15 decorative ceramic bowls, Rörstrand Mid-century Modern
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely group of fifteen bowls with stunning glazes designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane & Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand in the 1950s. The largest bowl is 17 x 11 cm in diameter and the sma...
Porcelain
French Hand-Painted Faience Soup Tureen
Located in Winter Park, FL
An early 20th century French faience footed oval tureen with traditional design typical of Eastern France. Hand-painted Chinoiserie decoration in pink, ora...
Faience
Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful stoneware vase by Gunnar Nylund, in an elegant, sleek form. Glazed white with a subtle “Mimosa” pattern. Gunnar Nylund was one of the most influential ceramicists and desi...
Stoneware
Gunnar Nylund Rörstrand Vase 1950s Sweden
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Farsta, SE
Gunnar Nylund (1904-1997) was a renowned Swedish ceramic artist and designer known for his significant contributions to the field of ceramic art and pottery. He was a prominent figur...
Stoneware
A Brown Ceramic Bowl - Gunnar Nylund - Rörstrand Sweden 1950s
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in Stockholm, SE
A brown bowl in ceramics, it is designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane at Rörstrand, the bowl is 12 x 8.5 cm wide. It´s in excellent condition except from some craquelure and air-bubbles on...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Sylvia Leuchovius, Tray
By Sylvia Leuchovius, Rörstrand
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 Rörstrand, Inger Persson
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 Rörstrand, Marianne Westman
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