Gunnar Nylund “Rubus” 1965
Gunnar Nylund (1904–1997) designed the “Rubus” series in 1965 for Rörstrand. It consists of stoneware bowls and vases with a robust form and mottled glaze. We present 8 different Rubus models in our shop.
The objects are marked on the bottom with Rörstränd’s symbol (R), GN, Sweden, and the model number. There were two variants in the production: the Alpina color (blue/gray glaze) and the Birka color (brown/yellow glaze).
Gunnar Nylund is one of the most well-known representatives of the Swedish ceramic design of the 20th century. He was the artistic leader for the Rörstränd factory in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Nylund is represented at the Swedish National Museum of Art and Design.
He was born in Paris. His parents were the Finnish sculptor, Felix Nylund, and the Danish Fernanda Jacobsen-Nylund. He graduated from school in 1925, entering an architectural program in Copenhagen. 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 very high quality. After an exhibition in Stockholm, Gunnar was offered the position of artistic leader at Rörstränd.
Gunnar Nylund made his most important artistic contributions while at Rörstränd. 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. 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.
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 Nylund working on a public installation
