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.
"Man, Woman and Horses, " Striking Art Deco Covered Urn by Nylund for Rorstrand
By Gunnar Nylund
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Gorgeously glazed in tones of rust, sable, ivory and chocolate, this unique lidded urn with foliated pinnacle and curving handles depicts a man with upraised arms and rearing horse o...
Porcelain
"Music and Dance", Large, Unique Art Deco Covered Urn by Wheeler Williams
By Wheeler Williams
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Sculpted by Wheeler Williams, one of the masters of Art Deco sculpture in America, this unique covered urn features two stylized female nude figures representing Music and Dance, eac...
Ceramic
"Centaur and Nymph", Elaborate Art Deco Vide Poche by Mayodon for Sèvres
By Jean-Leon Mayodon
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A brilliant example of Jean Mayodon's work with the famed Sèvres porcelain works, this large vide poche or low dish depicts a centaur carrying a nymph at its center, surrounded by th...
Ceramic
"Leaping Gazelles, " Early, Richly Glazed Art Deco Urn in Black and Gold, Sweden
By Josef Ekberg
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This very early example of Art Deco artisanry, dating from around 1917 just before Josef Ekberg left the Gustavsberg porcelain works in Sweden, is richly decorated with leaping gazel...
Porcelain
"Hercules and the Minotaur", Large, Very Rare Art Deco Vase by Goor for Mougin
By Gaston Goor, Mougin Frères
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The product of King Minos of Crete's wife, Queen Pasiphaë, and a white bull provided to the king by Poseidon, the Minotaur was a much-feared monster who was doomed to wander the hall...
Ceramic
"Horse and Hunter", Monumental Mid Century Low Bowl or Charger, Vallauris
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Monumental and bold, this Mid Century charger or low bowl was made by the Helré pottery works in Vallauris, the same small French town that is kno...
Ceramic
Large Antique Gouda Anhem Art Pottery Lidded Vase or Urn with Figural Handle
By Gouda-Zuid
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large art pottery lidded vase or urn was made by Gouda of Holland in approximately 1920 in a period Art Deco style. The lidded vase is done with an octagonal rim and base with r...
Pottery
Large vase “Equestrian”, model 286-51, Scheurich Keramik, 1960s, Germany
By Scheurich Keramik
Located in Valladolid, ES
Amazing large vase of German ceramic, model 286-51, from the German manufacturer Scheurich Keramik, dating from the 1960s. It features a large glazed border with an equestrian motif...
Ceramic
Vintage Scheurich west Germany vase with horse decor , 1970s
By Scheurich Keramik
Located in Delft, NL
Vintage Scheurich west Germany vase with horse decor , 1970s
Ceramic
Rare very decorative swivel jug, horse carriage, 1915 Art Deco, Amphora, Czech R
Located in Wien, AT
Very impressive jug from the Art Deco period, made around 1915 by the Amphora company from the Czech Republic. The object can be viewed from several sides. On the main display page you can see an impressively designed horse-drawn carriage including a driver in classicist robe and helmet. On the back are geometric flowers. The object is covered all over with art deco motifs in different colors. The handle at the top is very unusually designed. There is a glaze error on the upper side - which is due to production. The object bears the Amphora brand on the underside. Measurements approx.: height 39 cm - 15,35 in, diameter 6,69 in - 17 cm Impressively designed jug...
Ceramic
Angelo Biancini Art Deco Ceramic Vase with Horse for SCI, Italy, 1938 ca
By Angelo Biancini
Located in Milan, IT
Rare Angelo Biancini Art Deco ceramic vase for Società Ceramica Italiana di Laveno, Italy, 1938 ca.
Ceramic
Art Deco Belgium Stoneware Jardiniere Planter Large Sized Bouffioulx Armogres
Located in Torquay, GB
An attractive art deco Belgium stoneware jardiniere planter by Atelier Bouffioulx, Armogres, circa 1930s. Huge planter vase depicting a greek horse drawn chariot. The horses and char...
Ceramic, Stoneware
