Few had their finger on the pulse of American furniture like importer and distributor Raymor. Founder Irving Richards first had his eyes opened to the world of furniture while attending the 1928 Salon d’Automne art and design fair in Paris. He joined Lightolier two years later and developed its business relationships, including with designer Russel Wright.
Wright and Richards met in 1935 and Russel Wright, Inc. was formed in 1936. Its American Modern ceramic tableware, produced under the name Wright Accessories in 1938, was a notably lucrative collaboration. Following the early success of American Modern, Richards obtained the majority share of Wright Accessories and changed its name to Raymor Mfg Division Inc. in 1941.
By 1952, the exclusivity over American Modern had ended (the line was initially produced by Wright Associates and later manufactured by Steubenville for two decades). To keep up with American markets, Raymor worked with prominent designers such as George Nelson, Arthur Umanoff, Ray and Charles Eames, and Hans J. Wegner.
The company’s imports expanded to Denmark, which contributed to the rise of Scandinavian modern designs in the American market. Throughout the 1950s, Richards established relationships with factories in Scandinavia, Italy and Germany, as well as with the influential tastemaker and importer Charles Stendig.
The furniture company Simmons bought Raymor in 1963 and changed its name to Raymor Richards, Morgenthau Inc. in 1969. During that time, Raymor’s Omnibus range of Scandinavian-style wall units became widely popular, along with Italian glass and pottery like Bitossi ceramics designed by Aldo Londi and Bagni ceramics by Alvino Bagni.
Shifting styles coupled with rising competition, and the departure of Richards from the company, ended Raymor. By the late 1970s, Raymor faced a wave of international factories able to produce similar products of lesser quality for a lower cost. Buyers were eager to frequently change their interior styles, limiting the need for high-end, durable furniture, which Raymor had been importing.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Raymor ceramics, lamps, decorative objects and more.
Mid-Century Ceramic Vase by Colin Melbourne for Beswick, England
By Beswick
Located in Glasgow, GB
Designed by Colin Melbourne and produced by Beswick, England, this mid-century modern ceramic vase dates to the 1950s. The form is confidently restrained: an urn-like modernist silho...
Ceramic
Italian Ceramic Bud Vase in Faux Bois Glaze by Fratelli Fanciullacci c.1960s
By Fratelli Fanciullacci
Located in Glasgow, GB
1960s Italian Ceramic Bud Vase by Fratelli Fanciullacci This charming ceramic bud vase by Fratelli Fanciullacci exemplifies the playful creativity of mid-century Italian ceramics. R...
Ceramic
Small Chinese Porcelain Vase, Mille Fleur Decoration c.1950s
Located in Glasgow, GB
A small porcelain baluster vase, handcrafted in China during the mid-20th century, specifically between the 1950s and 1960s Finely decorated and displaying a vibrant scene of flower...
Porcelain
Large Jean Gerbino Terre Mêlée Jardinière Planter, Vallauris, 1950s
By Vallauris, Jean Gerbino
Located in Glasgow, GB
Large Jean Gerbino jardiniere in terre mêlée ceramic, created in Vallauris, France, during the 1950s and displaying the distinctive neriage technique associated with his work. The s...
Enamel
Art Deco Ceramic Vase by Thomas Forester & Sons, Staffordshire, 1930s
By Thomas Forester & Sons
Located in Glasgow, GB
An original Art Deco ceramic vase by Thomas Forester & Sons, crafted in Staffordshire, England during the early 1930s. This distinctive piece belongs to the firm’s ‘Athens’ collection—a short-run series now highly regarded among collectors of British ceramics and Art Deco pottery. The vase is defined by its elongated tubular profile, flaring subtly to form a softly bulging centre. Its surface is decorated with rows of acanthus leaves in pale blue relief, curling rhythmically around the body. The crisp blue detailing sits against a backdrop of deep russet and ochre glazes, a palette typical of Forester’s output in the early 20th century and evocative of the broader Art Deco design movement in Britain. Standing 26 cm tall with a diameter of 14 cm, the vase is stamped to the base with the Phoenix Ware...
Ceramic
1950s Art Deco Ceramic Vase by Colin Melbourne for Beswick
By Colin Melbourne, Beswick
Located in Glasgow, GB
This Art Deco style ceramic vase, designed by Colin Melbourne and produced by Beswick, England, features a striking turquoise and black glaze with bold, organic striping. Its sculptu...
Ceramic
Vase Cerazur Monaco by Vallauris AM, Ceramic, Floral Design, 1960s
By Vallauris AM
Located in London, England
This Cerazur Monaco AM vase, from the 1960s, and made of ceramic, evokes the beauty of the French Riviera with its charming floral decoration. Measuring 26 cm high, it has features o...
Ceramic
Abstract Floral Vase Rosenthal Studio-Line, by Wolfgang Bauer 1970s, Germany
By Wolfgang Bauer, Rosenthal
Located in Andernach, DE
1970s - 1980s vase by Rosenthal, Studio-Line. Wonderful colourful abstract shape and decoration: flowers in bright pastel colours with golden outlines on a cr...
Porcelain
Monaco Ceramic Vase Floral Decoration Mid-Century Signed Cérart Monaco French
Located in Labrit, Landes
Ceramic Vase from Maison Cerdazur Monaco made circa 1970. The Manufacture de Porcelaine de Monaco was founded in 1972 by Erich Rozewicz with the suppor...
Ceramic
Ceramic Floral Vase West Germany, 1960s
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Investing in this Ceramic Floral Vase from West Germany, dating back to the 1960s with its distinctive blue glaze, offers a unique opportunity to own a piece of mid-century design hi...
Ceramic
Vintage Flower Vase, German, Matte Ceramic, Display Urn, Mid Century, Circa 1960
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage flower vase. A German, matte ceramic display urn, dating to the mid century period, circa 1960. Fascinating appearance, with a tactile finish Displays a desirable ...
Ceramic
Vintage Ceramic Aksini Floral Vase, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Slender, organically shaped ceramic vase hand-painted with floral decor in bright blue, green and brown colored glaze with small handle on one side. Produced by ceramic artist Aksel ...
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
