Figurines

Cyréns classic fauna shapes are back alive

Paws, beaks and trunks in silverplate, porcelain and bronze

Gunnar Cyrén’s animal world is one of his best works. The silversmith who became one of his country’s foremost glass designers with the Nobel tableware and crystal as masterpieces, designed hundreds of tabletop objects in various materials – this designer also gave form to a fauna with eternal life. It all started in the late 1970s in connection with a large silver exhibition. Gunnar was asked to make a series of animals for the World Wildlife Foundation. One at a time the different animal shapes stepped forward, all sprung from a square base. Various producers were involved and the animals were found in silver-plated metal, porcelain, and crystal over time.

Hippo
Green patinated bronze on a black base SHOP

Polar bear
Green patinated bronze on base SHOP

Riksdagslejonet
Green patinated bronze SHOP

Rhino
Black patinated bronze on base SHOP

Bird on straw
Green patinated bronze on a black oak base SHOP

Hippo
Black patinated bronze on letter knife base SHOP

The Nobel Dog
Door stop in black patinated cast iron SHOP

Hippo
Green patinated bronze on letter knife base SHOP

Dog
Nobel dog knife rest SHOP

Some of the many figurines can be purchased in the online store. However, there are plans to bring a selection of some of the animals back to life. This time in a larger format and of beautiful new materials. Just look at the traditional Nobel knife rest. It is since 2022 also made in a larger size. with a black patinated finish. Now of twice the length and nine times the mass, our friend constitutes a 3-plus kilo watchdog… For your consideration – we present the Nobel Doorstop.

. . .

”I never really had much respect for gold, so simply I rolled and flattened the old gold coin in the workshop. I studied the thin gold sheet and decided to try to make a small animal out of it. Fourteen days later it was finished. A little hollow hippopotamus about the size of a thumb”

Gunnar Cyrén own accord of his first experiment with animals at Konstfack University of Arts, Crafts and Design.

Stylized animals, sprung from a cube

Stylized animals,
sprung from a cube

Visualize this: A parade of friendly animals made of concrete in the urban environment. Placed and positioned in a manner to provide a sense of calm and security while separating the traffic from the pedestrian areas.
Or why not some of our powerful friends of the African animal tribe, the elephant, giraffe and hippo presented as large and substantial sculptures in a public area. In the park, one can discover a towering polar bear in bronze.

“I model my animals in plastic padding and file out the shape to use the same tool in retouching the cast raw metal.”

Many of Gunnar Cyrén’s animals start from a square base from which he allowed the figure to grow out into their forged characteristics. They are all stylized bodies that have been given definite edges as if they were carved from a marble rock or carved with a knife from a piece of wood. Strong, still, silent and at the same time unwaveringly expressive, captured in the moment and at once embodying the essence of their species. The polar bear stretches its head forward, feels the stir of a possible prey. The frog has on the other hand caught sight of something and stretches its body and neck. The rhinoceros stands ready to charge with all its might, while the gorilla holds its impenetrable guardian pose.

Figurines

Paws, beaks and trunks in silverplate, porcelain and bronze

Stylized animals, sprung from a cube

Stylized animals,sprung from a cube

Stylized animals,
sprung from a cube