Gunnar Nylund bowl

This is a ceramic bowl, model ARO, designed by Gunnar Nylund and produced by Rörstrand in Sweden during the 1960s. The form is identical in type to other ARO series bowls, presenting a compact, softly organic oval structure with a delicately undulating rim that gives the object a subtle sculptural dynamism. The bowl’s shape evokes a natural, biomorphic aesthetic, often associated with Nylund’s work, which reflects an interest in combining modernist clarity with the irregularities of handcrafted design.

The glaze features a luminous yellow-green tone with subtle gradations toward a deeper olive at the rim. Across the surface, both interior and exterior, the glaze is enhanced with speckled accents in pale beige and off-white, producing a dappled, almost crystalline texture. This variegated surface catches and reflects light in a way that emphasizes the bowl’s curvature and depth. The underside reveals the Rörstrand maker’s mark along with Gunnar Nylund’s monogram and the model designation “ARO,” impressed into the base.

Gunnar Nylund, a Swedish-Finnish designer and sculptor, was a major figure in Scandinavian ceramics throughout the mid-20th century. As the artistic director of Rörstrand from the 1930s to the 1950s, Nylund introduced a wide range of new glazes and forms, prioritizing craftsmanship, tactility, and a gentle abstraction of natural forms. His work is widely recognized for bridging the artistic and functional roles of ceramics during the postwar modernist period.

Rörstrand, founded in 1726, is one of Sweden’s oldest porcelain manufacturers and was a leading force in Scandinavian design throughout the 20th century. Their collaboration with Nylund produced some of the era’s most distinctive stoneware, admired for its balance of industrial technique and artisanal expression.

This example remains in excellent vintage condition, with only minimal signs of use and wear, preserving the clarity of the glaze and the integrity of the form. The stylistic language is distinctly mid-century Scandinavian, combining modernist restraint with textural richness.

The bowl measures 10.5 cm in width, 7.5 cm in depth, and 5 cm in height, which converts to approximately 4.13 inches wide, 2.95 inches deep, and 1.97 inches high.