Gunnar Nylund

Gunnar Nylund (1904–1997) was a prominent Swedish ceramist, sculptor, and designer, best known for his influential role at Rörstrand, one of Sweden's oldest and most renowned porcelain manufacturers. He was a key figure in 20th-century Scandinavian ceramics and modern design.

Born in Paris to a Danish-Finnish artist family—his mother was a Danish sculptor and his father a Finnish architect—Nylund studied architecture in Copenhagen but moved early into the field of ceramics. He initially worked for Bing & Grøndahl in Denmark before establishing his own ceramic studio, Saxbo, with Nathalie Krebs in 1930. Saxbo became noted for its refined stoneware and innovative glazes, particularly matte and hare’s fur finishes.

In 1931, Nylund was recruited by Rörstrand in Sweden, where he became artistic director and worked until the late 1950s. During his time there, he helped modernize Rörstrand's production, introducing sleek forms and novel glazing techniques. His work ranged from studio ceramics to mass-produced tableware and large-scale decorative pieces. Notably, he developed signature glazes in muted tones such as celadon green, ochre, and hare’s fur brown.

Nylund’s forms are typically clean and modernist, often inspired by natural shapes and organic movement. He also worked in other materials, including glass and bronze, and designed public sculptures and architectural decorations.

His legacy includes a vast body of work held in museums and collections across the world, and he remains a central figure in the history of Scandinavian modern ceramics.