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.
French Vintage Mid-Century tapestry signed by Christian Royer
By Christian Royer
Located in Beirut, LB
Abstract wool printed tapestry of Mid-century (20th) modern abstract french origin, signed at the bottom by Christian Royer. It has a black background and holds a stunning work with ...
Wool
Wool Wall Tapestry by Eva Németh, Hungary, 1960s Modernist
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a very striking handwoven wool wall tapestry by Hungarian textile artist Eva Németh, executed in the 1960s. The vertically structured composition features stylized female fig...
Wool
Vintage Mid Century Whimsical Tapestry Mexico 1960's
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An unusual tapestry, made of heavy wool. Vintage 1950's, inspired by Matisse "Jazz Series".
Wool
$1,320Sale Price|20% Off
H 48 in W 20 in D 1 in
SALE Handmade Mid Century Modern Evelyn Ackerman Style Textile Art Wall Hanging
By Evelyn Ackerman
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
CENTRAL AVENUE MODERN ALL TAPESTRY SALE! Spectacular Mid Century Modern, Scandinavian, Evelyn Ackerman Style Hand Tufted, Freeform, Colorful, Wool & ...
Wool
$1,700
H 45 in W 32 in D 0.25 in
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Handwoven Tapestry, Abstract Wool Art, 32" x 45"
Located in Barrington, IL
This vintage Mid-Century Modern handwoven tapestry is a stunning example of textile art from the mid-1900s, offering both artistic value and design versatility. Featuring a bold abstract composition, the piece is skillfully woven in a dynamic palette of red, yellow, pink, brown, and tan, capturing the vibrant spirit of the era. The intricate craftsmanship and rich colors bring warmth and texture to any space, making it an ideal focal point for modern, eclectic, or retro-inspired interiors. Whether displayed in a living room, study, or entryway, this tapestry adds a distinctive artistic presence and celebrates the timeless appeal of mid-century textile art. Dimensions: 32” x 45” x .25” Date of Manufacture: 3rd Quarter of the 1900s Place of Origin: Scandinavia Material: wool, cotton Condition: Excellent The Persian Knot Gallery, SKU: 2204 Mid-Century Modern tapestry, vintage wall art, handwoven tapestry, abstract textile art, mid-century textile, colorful wall tapestry, retro wall hanging, vintage woven art, mid-century home decor, vintage abstract art, 1950s tapestry, 1960s wall art, woven wall decor, collectible textile art, handmade vintage tapestry, red yellow pink brown tapestry, modernist wall art, mid century design tapestry, Vintage Tapestry Wall Art, Vintage Woven Wall Art, Scandinavian Wall Art, Modern Wall Art, Fabric Wall Art, Handwoven Textiles, Loom Art, Textile Art on the Wall, Modernist Tapestry, Mid Century Wall Tapestry...
Wool, Cotton
$5,283
H 66.54 in W 42.13 in D 0.28 in
Very Beautiful Vintage Aubusson Tapestry with Herve Lelong design
By Hervé Lelong
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Introducing a Stunning Mid Century Aubusson Tapestry from Tunisia! We're delighted to present this exquisite Aubusson tapestry, meticulously crafted in Tunisia. This masterpiece fea...
Wool, Cotton
Mid-Century Modern African Tapestry
By Betty Cilliers-Barnard, Marguerite Stephens
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century tapestry designed by Betty Cilliers-Barnard (1914-2010) and handwoven by Marquerite Stephens in Johannesburg, South Africa. Entitled "African Multiplication" and woven i...
Wool, Tapestry
Midcentury Tapestry "La Mousson" Signed by R. Fumeron
By Rene Fumeron
Located in Beirut, LB
Midcentury tapestry designed by Rene Fumeron (1921-2003) entitled "La Mousson". Limited edition, hand printed on wool, with the artist's initials R.F in the lower right corner with L...
Wool
$2,230
H 28.75 in W 40.16 in D 0.79 in
Mid-Century Modern Wool Tapestry, Signed Duprez, French, 73x102 cm
By Jean-Claude Duprez
Located in Beirut, LB
Mid-Century Modern French wool tapestry by Jean Claude Duprez signed at the bottom right corner , "DUPREZ". This beautiful piece depicts birds and ...
Tapestry, Wool
$6,809
H 62.21 in W 48.63 in D 0.08 in
Superb Mid-Century Tapestry from the House of Chaudoir by Van Noten
By G. Chaudoir
Located in Beirut, LB
Colorful abstract mid-century tapestry having a blue background with beautiful explosion of colors, from the house of Chaudoir and designed by Artist Van No...
Wool
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
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
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
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 Nathalie du Pasquier, Post Design
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
3 by 5 Rya Rug / Tapestry in Orange, Yellow, off White, Never on the Floor
Located in Kansas City, MO
Beautiful multicolor Rya Rug with attachment to hand as a tapestry. This was acquired from the original owner and has never been used on the floor. Very good to excellent condition. ...
Wool
