Swedish artist-designer Gunnar Nylund — who worked at iconic porcelain manufacturer Rörstrand for decades — was never satisfied with the status quo. He played with organic shapes, rich colors and dazzling patterns to create some of the most exquisite ceramic and porcelain sculptures, vessels and other furnishings and decor of the 20th century.
Born in Paris to artists Fernanda Jacobsen-Nylund and Felix Nylund, Gunnar lived in Finland as a child but when the Finnish Civil War broke out in 1918, he moved with his mother to her native Denmark. He initially pursued architecture at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts but cut his schooling short when he accepted a position at the Bing & Grøndahl porcelain factory, where he worked for artist Paul Gauguin’s son, Jean, for several years, creating a range of stoneware pieces.
Dissatisfied with the factory's traditional approach to art, Nylund moved on from Bing & Grøndahl and sought to create works in a modernist style. In 1929, Nylund and chemist Nathalie Krebs opened their own ceramics workshop called Saxbo in Saxbo, Denmark. The company’s works garnered praise at a Svenskt Tenn exhibition, and the prestigious Swedish manufacturer Rörstrand offered Nylund a position as creative director.
While he later worked for Nymolle Ceramic Factory in Denmark for a short period, Nylund produced his most famous works while employed by Rörstrand. Fresh ideas and methods intrigued Nylund and he was always eager to try new techniques at the manufacturer. He worked in the Art Deco style, creating warm-toned matte-glazed stoneware sculptures and ceramic tableware that are devoid of lavish ornamentation. Later, he crafted numerous figurines and highly stylized animal sculptures. Nylund’s work can be found at the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm, the Designmuseum Denmark and elsewhere.
Find vintage Gunnar Nylund serveware, sculptures and vessels on 1stDibs.
Blue Stoneware Bowl by Gunnar Nylund in Rare Color for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund, Carl-Harry Stålhane, rorstrand studio, Rörstrand
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful boat shaped stoneware bowl 'ARO' in the most rare and sought-after eggshell glaze. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s. Great original condition. No c...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Gunnar Nylund Aro Stoneware Bowl with Hares Fur Glaze Rorstrand, Sweden, 1960s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gunnar Nylund ARO stoneware bowl with hares fur glaze Rorstrand, Sweden, 1960s. Measurements: 4" wide, 3" deep, 1" high in center and 1.5" high edges. ...
Stoneware
A Classic Elegant "Aro" Ceramic Bowl by Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Sweden, 1960s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
A Classic "Aro" Ceramic bowl by Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Sweden, 1960s. A timeless and sophisticated "Aro" bowl crafted by Gunnar Nylund showcases exquisite shades in blue and brow...
Ceramic
Swedish Mid Century Ceramic "Rubus" Dish by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare large Swedish decorative mid century ceramic / stoneware "Rubus" dish / bowl by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand Sweden, 1950s. In good original condition and signed by the artist. ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
"Nude with Dove, " Rare Art Deco Bowl by Nylund for Rorstrand
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Before he became known for his organic forms and gorgeous glazes for the famous Rorstrand ceramic works in Sweden, Gunnar Nylund designed a line of very fine Art Deco pieces in what ...
Porcelain
$423Sale Price|20% Off
Gunnar Nylund "ASX" Bowl Blue Brown Haresfur Glaze for Rörstrand Sweden, 1960s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Oblong ceramic "ASX" tray / bowl by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden. Made ca 1960s. This is one of the harder to find pieces and it has the most beautiful blue, slightly green ...
Ceramic
Two Brown and green-glazed Gunnar Nylund Bowls, Sweden, 1940s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Two Classic brown and beige-glazed stoneware bowls designed and produced in Sweden, 1940s. Marked as 1st quality. Gunnar Nylund, born in Paris in 1904 to parents engaged in sculptin...
Stoneware
Gunnar Nylund Rörstrand Large Axk Bowl Blue an Ocher Hares Fur Glaze Sweden 1950
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gunnar Nylund Rörstrand large AXK bowl blue an Ocher Hares Fur glaze Sweden 1950. This unique and large stoneware bowl is glazed with a delicate yet bold blue hares fur glaze with...
Stoneware
Pink Art Deco Stoneware Bowl by Gunnar Nylund. Rorstrand, Sweden, 1930s.
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, rorstrand studio
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful stoneware art deco / Swedish grace bowl with amazing glaze. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1930s. Great condition. Incised with makers mark. Gunnar N...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Glazed Ceramic Bowl by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, c. 1960
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in New York City, NY
Small bowl with a stunning glaze.
Ceramic
Two Mustard Yellow Ceramic Plates by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Barcelona, ES
Two ceramic plates from the Eterna series, designed by Gunnar Nylund and fabricated by Rörstrand.
Ceramic
Gunnar Nylund Bowl Produced in Sweden
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Bronze bowl designed by Gunnar Nylund. Produced in Sweden.
Bronze
Swedish Mid-Century Small Bowl by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Lidköping, SE
Gunnar Nylund is one of the most respected Swedish ceramic designers of the 20th century. Nylund began his career at Bing & Grondahl’s Porcelain Factory in Copenhagen (1925-1929) bef...
Ceramic
Bowl, Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, 1950's
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
A ceramic bowl made by Gunnar Nylund. Rörstrand, 1950's. Model AXA, made in the shape of a heart. Good condition. Second sorting.
Ceramic
$1,412 / set
Ceramic Bowl by Gunnar Nylund, 1960's
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Ceramic Bowl by Gunnar Nylund, 1960's Additional Information: Material: Ceramic Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Ceramic bowl model ARO Produced by Rörstrand in Sweden Dimensions (W...
Ceramic
Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand Rare Footed Bowl, Stoneware Ceramic Blue and Brown
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Rare footed bowl designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand. Wonderful glaze with a amber body and tones of brown to blue. Unique design with footed base. Signed on underside with the "...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Swedish mid-century set, vase and bowl by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Lidköping, SE
Gunnar Nylund is one of the most respected Swedish ceramic designers of the 20th century. Nylund began his career at Bing & Grondahl’s Porcelain Factory in Copenhagen (1925-1929) bef...
Ceramic
Swedish Mid Century Ceramic "Rubus" Bowls by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, 1950s
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare pair of Swedish mid century ceramic / stoneware "Rubus" bowls by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand Sweden, 1950s. In good original condition and signed by the artist. Dimensions: H:...
Stoneware
Gunnar Nylund Bowl Produced in Sweden
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Bronze bowl designed by Gunnar Nylund. Produced in Sweden.
Bronze
"Sailing on the Nile, " Rare Covered Art Deco Box with Egyptian Pyramids
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Striking and rare, this round covered Art Deco box depicts two traditional boats with sails on the Nile River, with two of the great Pyramids of Egypt...
Porcelain
Gunnar Nylund "NSR" Dish Blueish Green Haresfur Glaze, Rorstrand Sweden, 1960s
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gunnar Nylund "NSR" dish blueish green haresfur glaze, Rorstrand Sweden, 1960s.
Stoneware
Swedish Mid-Century Ceramic Bowl by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Lidköping, SE
Gunnar Nylund is one of the most respected Swedish ceramic designers of the 20th century. Nylund began his career at Bing & Grondahl’s Porcelain Factory in Copenhagen (1925-1929) bef...
Ceramic