Brand: Rorstrand

Rörstrand is one of the most renowned producers of porcelain and ceramics in Scandinavia, employing some of Sweden's most famous ceramic designers of the 20th century, such as Gunnar Nylund and Carl-Harry Stålhane. 

Origins & Historical Significance

Founded in 1726 near Stockholm, Rörstrand is among Sweden’s oldest porcelain manufacturers. Initially focused on faience and hand-painted dishes, it grew into a major producer of feldspar porcelain by the late 19th century, eventually relocating to Lidköping in the 1930s.

Design Renaissance in the 20th Century

During the mid-1900s, Rörstrand became a creative hub, attracting talents such as Gunnar Nylund and Carl‑Harry Stålhane. Nylund, leading artistic director from 1931 to 1955, introduced matte feldspar glazes: his hare’s fur and crystal finishes became instantly recognisable and collected. Stålhane, active into the 1960s, designed series like Bahia, Florida and Fibula, blending sculptural stoneware with expressive earthen tones.

Notable Collections & Patterns

Iconic designs flowed from Rörstrand’s studios. Nylund’s animal sculptures and minimalist tableware set a benchmark. Stålhane’s Florida and Fibula executed post-war modernism. Marianne Westman added charm with her enduring Mon Amie floral dinnerware in the early 1950s. Hertha Bengtson’s Koka series in the 1960s introduced warm glaze tones, while Birger Kaipiainen’s lavish Paratiisi received collector acclaim.

Legacy & Cultural Impact

Rörstrand expanded under corporate mergers from the 1960s onward, later joining Iittala and now under Fiskars. Though production moved abroad after 2005, the brand name lives on, its archival museum in Lidköping preserves nearly 300 years of craftsmanship. Vintage pieces like tableware sets, vases, dinnerware are prized for their design credibility, combining everyday practicality with Scandinavian artistic heritage.