Gunnar Nylund vase

This is a tall stoneware vase designed by Gunnar Nylund and produced by Rörstrand in Sweden during the 1950s. The form is slender and vertically oriented, with a tapering cylindrical body and a flared trumpet neck. The profile is both balanced and delicate, with continuous curvature from the narrow foot to the wide lip, which flares outward in a smooth radius.

The surface features a speckled matte glaze in a yellow-green tone with transitions into cream and ivory at both the base and rim. The glaze application is layered, revealing Nylund’s characteristic control over texture and hue. The finish shows crystalline and frothy effects especially toward the lower and upper edges, where the glaze pools and thins to expose nuanced tonal shifts. The speckling is irregular, creating a vibrant surface that responds dynamically to light.

The underside is signed with the Rörstrand hallmark and Nylund’s incised initials, along with the typical crown stamps, indicating authenticity and studio origin. The material is fine stoneware, fired at high temperature, contributing to the object’s vitrified density and structural durability. The interior is glazed to ensure water-tightness, while the exterior retains a subtly tactile matte finish.

Gunnar Nylund (1904–1997) was one of the most influential ceramic artists in mid-century Sweden. Born in Paris and educated in Helsinki and Copenhagen, he worked with Bing & Grøndahl before joining Rörstrand as artistic director in 1931. His work is characterized by elegant modernist forms, refined glaze experimentation, and a synthesis of Scandinavian restraint with subtle expressionism. Nylund is particularly known for developing a wide range of matte glazes and semi-reactive finishes, often in earthy tones that echoed natural surfaces.

Rörstrand, founded in 1726, is among Sweden’s oldest ceramic manufacturers. During the mid-20th century, it was a leading site for modernist design, attracting talents like Carl-Harry Stålhane and Hertha Bengtson alongside Nylund.

This vase measures 8 cm in diameter and 35 cm in height, equivalent to approximately 3.15 inches wide and 13.78 inches high. It is in excellent vintage condition, free from chips, cracks, or restoration. The combination of slender proportions, refined glazing, and artistic provenance make it a representative piece of Swedish mid-century studio ceramic production.