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.
Ceramic Pendant Ceiling Lights, Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Set of three rare bone china pendant lights by Carl-Harry Stålhane. Designed with an asymmetric, graphic pattern which varies in density, creating a beautiful effect when lit.
Ceramic
Carl-Harry Stålhane Ceiling light designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane for Rörstrand
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in Stockholm, SE
Carl-Harry Stålhane Ceiling light designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s. Porcelain.
Porcelain
Ceiling Lamp Designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1954
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in Stockholm, SE
Ceiling lamp designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1954. Stoneware. Measurements: H: 52 cm/ 1'9" D: 20 cm/ 8". Carl-Harry Stålhane (1920-1990) was born in the to...
Stoneware
Carl-Harry Stålhane, Table Lamp, Ceramic, Fabric, Sweden, 1950s
By Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand
Located in High Point, NC
A brown and white-glazed ceramic table lamp designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane and produced by Rörstrand, Sweden, c. 1950s. Wear consistent with age and use. Dimensions of Lamp with S...
Ceramic, Fabric
$1,600
H 22.05 in Dm 16.54 in
Carl-Harry Stålhane ceramic Table Lamp blue / green shades for Rörstrand, Sweden
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Ceramic and glazed Table Lamp by Carl-Harry Stålhane for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1960s. The lamp is in very good condition with bright azure and green hues. Rewired and fitted with a bras...
Metal
Carl Harry Stålhane Table Lamp Model 'Orient' for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1960
By rorstrand studio, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in Paris, IDF
Carl Harry Stålhane table lamp model 'Orient' for Rorstrand Sweden 1960. Good condition, with stamp underneath. 1 table lamp available. Price for 1 table lamp without lampshade. Ca...
Ceramic
Carl-Harry Stålhane, Table Lamp, Stoneware, Brass, Sweden, 1950s
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in High Point, NC
A blue-glazed stoneware and brass table lamp designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane and produced by Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 9.75” H x 3.90” Diameter Dimensio...
Brass
$1,900
H 15.56 in Dm 6.31 in
Carl-Harry Stålhane & Kent Eriksson, Table Lamp Glazed Stoneware, Studio, 1960s
By Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in High Point, NC
A cream, glazed stoneware table lamp designed and produced by Carl-Harry Stålhane and Kent Eriksson, Sweden, c. 1960s.
Stoneware
Carl-Harry Stålhane, Table Lamp, Stoneware, Sweden, 1950s
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in High Point, NC
A white-glazed and hand-painted stoneware table lamp designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane and produced by Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 10.65” H x 5.75” Diameter...
Stoneware
$1,414Sale Price / set|27% Off
H 11.03 in Dm 5.52 in
Carl-Harry Stålhane Mid-Century Ceramic Table Lamps, Sweden, 1970s
By Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in Bochum, NRW
Stoneware lamp bases designed by Kent Ericsson, Carl-Harry Stålhane's partner at Designhuset. Incised signature under the bottom: Designhuset, Sweden, KE, logo Stalhane, original man...
Stoneware
$1,657 / set
H 12.21 in Dm 5.52 in
Carl Harry Stålhane Table Lamps Model 'Orient' for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1960
By rorstrand studio, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in Paris, IDF
Carl Harry Stålhane set of 2 table lamps model 'Orient' for Rorstrand Sweden 1960. Good condition, with stamp underneath. 2 table lamps available. Price for the 2 table lamps withou...
Ceramic
Carl-Harry Stålhane, Table Lamp, Stoneware, Sweden, 1950s
By Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand
Located in High Point, NC
A blue-glazed stoneware table lamp designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane and produced by Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 13.6” H x 4.75” Diameter Dimensions of Shad...
Stoneware
Carl-Harry Stålhane, Table Lamp, Stoneware, Brass, Sweden, 1950s
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in High Point, NC
A brown and grey-glazed stoneware and brass table lamp designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane and produced by Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 12” H x 2.5” Diameter D...
Brass
$751Sale Price|60% Off
H 14.8 in Dm 4.13 in
Carl-Harry Stålhane Table Lamp, Glazed Ceramic, Rörstrand, 1960s
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Handmade and hand-decorated glazed ceramic table lamp by designer Carl Harry Stålhane for Swedish Rörstrand. Rectangular shape with round edges and hand-painted multicolored earth to...
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Carl-Harry Stålhane, Table Lamp, Stoneware, Sweden, 1950s
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in High Point, NC
A black, blue and brown-glazed stoneware table lamp designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane and produced by Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 14.15” H x 3.75” Diameter ...
Stoneware
Sold
H 16.54 in Dm 5.91 in
Pair of Porcelain Pendant Lights by Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand, Sweden 1950s
By Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand
Located in Hägersten, SE
Pair of ceiling lamps designed by Carl Harry Stålhane. Produced by Rörstrand in Sweden during the 1950s. Made from white porcelain with embossed geometrical pattern. Both lamps in ve...
Porcelain