Gunnar Nylund – A Short Biography

The early years

Gunnar Nylund (1904-1997) was born in Paris, France. His parents were the well-known Finnish sculptor, Felix Nylund, and the Danish-born Fernanda Jacobsen-Nylund. After brief stays in France, Italy, and Denmark, the family moved to Finland in 1911. At the outbreak of the Finnish Civil War of 1918, Gunnar and his mother were forced to flee to Denmark under dramatic circumstances.

Gunnar Nylund working for Bing & Grondahl

Gunnar graduated from school in 1925, entering an architectural program in Copenhagen. In 1925, he interrupted his education to take a position at Bing & Grondahl’s Porcelain Factory. After four years of work focused on stoneware, he had his fill of the factory’s conservative approach that stifled any gamble in modernity.

Starting the Saxbo Workshop

In 1929, Gunnar and chemist Nathalie Krebs started their own ceramic workshop in the town of Saxbo. Gunnar was responsible for forming the pieces, while Nathalie handled the firing and glazing. In time, they achieved outstanding results, creating stoneware of unsurpassed quality. After an exhibition in Stockholm, Gunnar was offered the position of artistic leader at Rorstrand. He was drawn to the resources and wealth of opportunity at the large factory, and gladly accepted the position.

Modernization at Rorstrand 

Gunnar Nylund made his most important artistic contributions while at Rorstrand. He was employed there throughout the greater part of the early 1930s until the mid-1950s. Gunnar received widespread support for his modern approach to the factory’s management. These were years of tremendous expansion and innovation. The factory’s production ranged from quality stoneware to tableware and baptismal fonts. Gunnar was also the artistic director for Nymölle Ceramic Factory for a shorter period. 

Swedish Grace

In the 1930s, Gunnarʼs production was influenced by the Swedish Grace movement; the Swedish take on Art Deco. The era was characterized by unadorned design with bold colors and strong contrast. Gunnarʼs Flambé series is a fine representation of the era’s style, with its geometric shapes, matte blue-green glaze, and gold detail.

Grouse and Lynx stoneware sculptures.

Animal kingdom

Gunnar Nylund crafted a wide variety of animal figurines and sculptures. They range from small bears to majestic lynx heads. The animals are made of stoneware with magnificent feldspar glazes. The figurines are lifelike with added stylistic features.

Stoneware classics 

Gunnar is best-known for his prolific production of high-quality vases and bowls. They were produced in stoneware with modern forms and finished with matte, feldspar glaze. These pieces are now very sought after among pottery collectors. 

Contrasting Chamotte

Gunnar Nylund was always eager to experiment with novel forms, materials, glazes, and decor. The “Chamotte” pieces are fine examples of his experimentation. Made with chamotted stoneware, the rough surface provided a strong contrast against the playful, vivid decor. This is most clearly demonstrated in the “hedgehog vases" with their scarified form and color-absorbing glazes.

The final years

Gunnar Nylund ended his career as a pensioner with his own workshop in the southern Sweden town of Lomma. There, he wrote his memoirs, recounting his work and private life in a conversation with his daughter Bie Nylund. Gunnar left a legacy of unsurpassed ceramic quality, magnificent creative design, and brilliant craftsmanship.

Overview of Gunnar Nylund’s Series

This overview encompasses the majority of Gunnar Nylund’s named artwork series at the Rörstrand company in the 1930s–1970s. Every series is presented with name and a photo of one of the objects. Let’s get going!