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.
H 8.27 in Dm 5.52 in
A Uranium Yellow Hedgehog vase - Chamotte - Gunnar Nylund - Rörstrand
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A unique uranium yellow Hedgehog-vase in chamotte designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand. It is 21 cm (8.4") tall and in excellent condition. This vase is unique or a sample from Gun...
Stoneware
H 5.91 in Dm 3.55 in
Gunnar Nylund Green Chamotte Vase in Stoneware, Sweden, 1960s
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Esbjerg, DK
This Chamotte stoneware vase in olive/pickle green glaze was designed by Swedish Ceramist Gunnar Nylund and made in Sweden during the 1960s. Marking...
Stoneware
H 8.54 in Dm 4.61 in
Gunnar Nylund Magenta Chamotte, Porcelain Vase for Rorstrand, 1950s
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Exceptional Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern handmade chamotte clay and porcelain vase by acclaimed Swedish designer Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand. Chamotte body with shiny deep raspber...
Stoneware, Pottery, Porcelain, Ceramic
H 6.93 in Dm 2.45 in
Gunnar Nylund Blue Glaze Raw Chamotte Cylinder Vase, 1960s
By Gunnar Nylund, Nymølle Keramiske Fabrik
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Minimalist Scandinavian modern cylinder vase handmade by Swedish artist Gunnar Nylund for Nymølle in the 1960s. Rustic matte dark brown chamotte clay on the outside and shiny bright ...
Ceramic, Clay, Pottery, Stoneware
H 7.29 in Dm 4.34 in
Grey Stoneware Vases Chamotte, Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Scandinavian Modern
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
A vase designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, the vase is 18.5 cm high and it is in very good condition except from some minor marks. Gunnar Nylund was born in Paris 1904 with pare...
Stoneware
H 7.88 in W 5.12 in D 3.94 in
Pair of Swedish Modern "Chamotte" Vases by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of Swedish Modern "Chamotte" vases by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand. The name Chamotte indicates the large fragments of crushed earthenware pieces that was applied in the glace ...
Ceramic
H 9.5 in Dm 2.75 in
A Vase by Gunnar Nylund
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Long Island City, NY
A stoneware vase by GUNNAR NYLUND. Harp fur glaze, Rörstrand, Sweden circa 1960s. Marked GN AUF.
Stoneware
H 12 in Dm 7 in
Vase by Gunnar Nylund
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Long Island City, NY
Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rostrand, Sweden, Circa 1950th. Signed.
Stoneware
H 5.52 in Dm 5.52 in
Swedish Modern Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand Ceramic Blue Chamotte Vase
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Uccle, BE
Creation by Gunnar Nylund (1914–1997) during his tenure as artistic director of Rörstrand from 1932 through the 1950s. The vase has a glossy white glaze over a rough rustic body crea...
Stoneware
H 6.3 in Dm 4.93 in
Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Chamotte 'Hedgehog' Series, Sculpted Topaz Vase
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Frome, GB
This viviacious work of Swedish Modernist design is the 'Igelkott' ('Hedgehog') vase that comes from the larger 'Chamott' (Chamotte) series designed between 1936 to 1948. The series was designed by the celebrated Swedish ceramicist and designer Gunnar Nylund (b.1904 - d.1997) for Rörstrand. The vases were made in 5 colours (Emerald, Topaz, (Mustard), Turquoise, White, and Yellow) with 3 different forms to the vases. This Topaz piece comes from the 'Al' form and is the medium size of the 3 available sizes at 16 cm in height (small 12cm, medium 16cm, large 21cm). Nylund became well known for his Chamotte sculptures, designing the series during his time as artistic director at Rörstrand. Handworked, the rugged yet polished décor...
Ceramic
‘Chamotte’ Vase in Ceramic by Gunnar Nylund
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Berlin, BE
‘Chamotte’ Vase in Ceramic by Gunnar Nylund Chamottered stoneware from Rörstrand. Additional information: Material: Ceramic Ar...
Ceramic
‘Chamotte’ Vase in Ceramic by Gunnar Nylund
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Berlin, BE
‘Chamotte’ vase in ceramic by Gunnar Nylund Chamottered stoneware from Rörstrand. Additional information: Material: Ceramic Artist: Gunnar Nylund Size: 12 H cm.
Ceramic
‘Chamotte’ Vase in Ceramic by Gunnar Nylund
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Berlin, BE
‘Chamotte’ vase in ceramic by Gunnar Nylund. Chamottered stoneware from Rorstrand. Additional information: Material: Ceramic Artist: Gunnar Nylund Size: 16 H cm.
Ceramic
‘Chamotte’ Vase in Ceramic by Gunnar Nylund
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Berlin, BE
‘Chamotte’ vase in ceramic by Gunnar Nylund Chamottered stoneware from Rörstrand. Additional information: Material: Ceramic Ar...
Ceramic
Vase in Ceramic by Gunnar Nylund
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Berlin, BE
Vase in ceramic by Gunnar Nylund Stoneware from Rörstrand. Additional information: Material: Ceramic Artist: Gunnar Nylund Si...
Ceramic
Vase in Ceramic by Gunnar Nylund
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Berlin, BE
Vase in ceramic by Gunnar Nylund. Stoneware from Rorstrand. Additional information: Material: Ceramic Artist: Gunnar Nylund S...
Ceramic
