When Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman met and married in Detroit in 1948, they began a seven-decade love affair and creative partnership that would have a major impact on the aesthetic of California mid-century modernism.
At the time, Jerome was a charismatic World War II veteran, Evelyn a young assistant at Luce Lipton Interior Design Studio, where he first spied her folding fabric samples and presented her with a Milky Way bar.
Working out of their studio in Los Angeles, where they moved in 1952 to be part of California’s burgeoning design scene, the two would produce handcrafted case pieces, tapestries and other decorative objects in a variety of media, including ceramics, textiles, carved wood, mosaics and enamel.
The multifaceted pair collaborated with firms and designers such as Victor Gruen; Skidmore, Owings & Merrill; Paul McCobb; Steve Chase; and Arthur Elrod, an incredibly influential talent whose own clients included Frank and Lucille Capra, Hoagy Carmichael, Claudette Colbert, and more.
The Ackermans’ prolific body of work is distinguished by a hand-wrought sense of warmth and texture; a mix of folk art — like figuration and colorful abstraction; depictions of flowers, animals, children and mythical figures; and a belief in the Bauhaus principles of design. These days, their oeuvre proves very much in demand, and the Ackermans, in the tradition of husband-and-wife creators like the Eameses and Les Lalanne, rank among the most influential design couples in history.
Evelyn considered her Stories from the Bible, comprised of 40 individual cloisonné squares, each depicting a different tale from the Old Testament, to be her most challenging and gratifying piece. She worked on it every day for a year and half, completing the composition — which was acquired by the Smithsonian Museum — in 1985.
Evelyn died in 2012 at age 88, while Jerome, known as Jerry, died in 2019. A testament to the renewed interest in their work, Pointed Leaf Press published Hand-in-Hand, Ceramics, Mosaics, Tapestries, and Woodcarvings by California Mid-Century Designers Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman in 2014, the first book to document the lives and careers of the couple.
Find vintage Evelyn Ackerman wall decorations and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Mid-Century Mosaic Wall Plate by W. Zimmermann for Ritter
Located in Kelkheim (Taunus), HE
Designer W. Zimmermann. Brand Ritter, Großheppach (Germany) Era 1950s / 1960s. Material pottery, brass. High 2, 8 cm. Diameter 30 cm. Condition good original Selected Items – ...
Brass
MCM Round Floral Mosaic on Board by David Lavington
Located in San Diego, CA
A small MCM floral mosaic on board by David Lavington, circa 1970s. The bright and colorful piece is in good vintage condition and measures 6.5"D x 1"H The flower is mounted on a 1" ...
Glass, Wood
Mid-Century Mosaic Wall Plate by W. Zimmermann for Ritter
Located in Kelkheim (Taunus), HE
Designer W. Zimmermann Brand Ritter, Großheppach (Germany) Era 1950s / 1960s Material pottery, brass High 2,5 cm Diameter 30 cm Condition good original Selected Items – We cha...
Brass
David Holleman 1960's Mosaic Wall Art... Classic Modernist
By David Holleman
Located in Buffalo, NY
David Holleman mosaic wall art, circa early 1960s. It measures 22" wide and has animal motifs and abstracted figures./ faces . Some of the tile work...
Ceramic
Richard Hohenberg Mosaic
By Richard Hohenberg
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Hohenberg Mosaic depicts a classical Thai dancer and is comprised of glass and ceramic tiles against a crystalline incrustation. The frame is solid walnut and the piece is stencil signed on the reverse 'Hohenberg Original.'
Ceramic, Glass, Walnut
Marble Fine Mosaic Art, Belgium, 1960s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Mid-Century Modern mosaic tableau wall piece. Abstract design of a figure in mosaic marble, shades of browns and greys. Sturdy wooden frame.
Marble
Handmade Mid-Century Modern Mosaic Artwork, Unique Design, 1960s
Located in Wheat Ridge, CO
A one-of-a-kind handmade mosaic art piece circa 1960s with brilliant shades of browns, copper, amber, turquoise and white. Intricate beading, mixed metal, glass, and copper make up t...
Metal, Copper
Mid-Century Mosaic Wall Plate / Bowl by W. Zimmermann for Ritter
Located in Kelkheim (Taunus), HE
Designer W. Zimmermann Brand Ritter, Großheppach (Germany) Era 1950s / 1960s Material pottery, brass High 39,5 cm Diameter 2,7 cm Condition good original Selected Items – We c...
Brass
Mid-Century Mosaic Wall Plate / Bowl by W. Zimmermann for Ritter
Located in Kelkheim (Taunus), HE
Designer W. Zimmermann Brand Ritter, Großheppach (Germany) Era 1950s / 1960s Material pottery, brass High 35,5 cm Diameter 3 cm Condition good original Selected Items – We cha...
Brass
$6,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 20 in W 28.75 in D 1.25 in
Heidi Melano Contemporary Sculptural Mosaic Wall Panel
By Heidi Melano 1
Located in Miami, FL
Wonderfully decorative mosaic wall art sculpture executed by Heidi Melano the world renowned artist responsible for multiple works completed for Fernand Leger, Chagall, Braque. Hand-crafted, beautifully proportioned, this rectangle mosaic is inlaid in a slim frame. This rare work of art would make a great accent piece would enhance any wall. A true iconic piece by this artist. Signed on the bottom right, back of panel also signed with Heidi Melano's initials. Measures: Depth 1.25 in. x Width 28.75 in. x Height 20 in. Would enhance any traditional, mid-century, contemporary, modern, country, beach house, ski resort setting. About The Artist: Heidi Melano, her maiden name Heidi Hoegger, she was born in Geneva on April 20, 1929. Granddaughter of the great Swiss painter Ferdinand Hodler, she was passionate about art from an early age: she created, painted and lets her imagination speak by expression through different techniques. Very quickly, she wanted to become a mosaic artist. At the age of 23, she won a mosaic competition with her work "La Volière". On this occasion, she meets Lino Melano...
Ceramic, Glass
Evelyn Ackerman ERA Hand Hooked Tapestry Rug
By Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman
Located in Kansas City, MO
Hand hooked tapestry by Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman, ERA, Los Angeles. Hand made in Japan. These are becoming increasingly rare. Very good original...
Nylon
Woven Wool Tapestry in the Style of Evelyn Ackerman
By Evelyn Ackerman
Located in Kansas City, MO
Beautiful vintage modern wall hanging of an outdoor scene with people, animals, and trees in the styled of Evelyn Ackerman. Very good condi...
Wool
Piero Fornasetti Eva / Eve Porcelain Plate # 3, Signed
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Kansas City, MO
Piero Fornasetti Eva / Eve porcelain dinner plate number 3. Signed. Never used as a dinner plate.
Porcelain
Horizon Marine Tapestry by Jean Picart Le Doux, Signed, Great Condition
By Jean Picart Le Doux
Located in Kansas City, MO
Large Jean Picart Le Doux "Horizon Marin" tapestry handwoven at Atelier Pinton in Aubusson France. Signed. Limited edition. Virtually no signs of wear. ...
Wool
Tapestry by Nathalie du Pasquier, Limited Edition, No. 2/36, Signed 2005
By Post Design, Nathalie du Pasquier
Located in Kansas City, MO
Tapestry by Nathalie du Pasquier for Post Design, Italy, 2005. This example is number 2 of 36. This thick handwoven wool wall hanging is in excellent condition.
Wool
Evelyn Ackerman Tapestry. Rare. Signed EA..
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare Evelyn Ackerman, ERA, Tapestry in very good condition. Colors are vibrant with no distractions. A wood hanging rod is attached. Ready to ship and ready to hang.
Wool, Wood
