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.
Evelyn Ackerman Cityscape Tapestry
By Evelyn Ackerman
Located in Highland, IN
A lovely tapestry by Evelyn Ackerman in vivid warm hues, this piece interprets a cityscape as abstract blocks of color. We believe the title of this piece is "Byzantia". 33.5"h X ...
Wool
Evelyn Ackerman Large Scale Wood Carved Panel for Era Industries
By Evelyn Ackerman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large scale wood carved panel by California artist, Evelyn Ackerman for Era Industries c.1960s. This carving features various nature themes like the sun, trees, fish, birds and leav...
Wood
Rare Hydastone “Flora de Madera” Panel by Evelyn Ackerman, 1960s
By Evelyn Ackerman
Located in Oceanside, US
A rare Flora de Madera wall panel by renowned California designer Evelyn Ackerman, produced by ERA Industries in the 1960s. This sculptural bas-relief depicts a stylized female figure holding a flower, surrounded by Ackerman’s signature geometric border—an iconic example of mid-century West Coast modernism. What sets this piece apart is its Hydastone construction—a high-strength, gypsum-based casting material used for a limited number of Ackerman’s panels...
Cement, Other
$1,225Sale Price|30% Off
Evelyn Ackerman Panelcarve Art Flora de Madera Era Industries 1963
By Evelyn Ackerman
Located in Stafford, TX
Beautiful wood carving in great overall condition as seen. See photos for details. Message with questions.
Walnut
$2,125 / item
Midcentury Cabinet Top Set of Drawers
By Evelyn Ackerman, Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration are these simply beautiful miniature set of drawers featuring black walnut and brass pulls. The cabinet was crafted in Finland an...
Brass
Evelyn Ackerman 'Horsemen' Wood Carved Panel
By Evelyn Ackerman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wood carving by California artist, Evelyn Ackerman, c.1964, USA. This plaque features five mounted horsemen. Dimensions 39" width x 1" depth x 9.25" height. Condition Good vintage...
Wood
Evelyn Ackerman Carved Redwood Panel for Panelcarve, circa 1950s
By Panelcarve, Evelyn Ackerman
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Evelyn Ackerman Carved Redwood Panel for Panelcarve, circa 1950s. Features a bird, ram and frog in typical Ackerman style. Measures 36" wide, 12" high and 1" deep. Stamped "copyrig...
Wood
Carved Oak Wood Panel by Evelyn Ackerman ERA Industries
By Evelyn Ackerman
Located in Southampton, NJ
A beautiful and rare dark oak carved panel by renowned artist Evelyn Ackerman for ERA Industries. Marked “EA” in the lower right corner and stamped “ERA Industries” on the back, this...
Oak
Evelyn Ackerman ERA Signed Mid-Century Modern Woven Floral Tapestry Wall Hanging
By Evelyn Ackerman
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic work by famed Mid-Century Modern designer Evelyn Ackerman. Bright and intensely colorful with an elegant design. Evelyn, along with her husband Jerome, began her care...
Nylon
$6,550 / set
Set of Ten Evelyn Ackerman Carved Oak Panels
By Evelyn Ackerman
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Beautiful and rare vintage set of (10) Evelyn Ackerman carved Oak panels Designed and manufactured by ERA Industries in conjunction with Panelcarve by Ackerman in the 1970s. Solid Oa...
Oak
Set of Eight Evelyn Ackerman Carved Redwood Panels
By Evelyn Ackerman
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Beautiful and rare vintage set of (8) Evelyn Ackerman carved Redwood panels with animals and people. Designed and manufactured by Era Industries in conju...
Wood
Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman for ERA Industries — Hand-Painted Hydrastone Sculptures
By Evelyn Ackerman
Located in Oceanside, US
Hand-painted hydrastone figure by Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman for ERA Industries, produced in the 1960s–1970s. Fully marked on the underside, this piece is part of the Ackermans’ highly...
Stone
$5,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 44 in W 39.5 in D 17 in
Antique French Louis XV Style Marble Top Commode Cabinet
Located in North York, ON
Exquisite antique king wood with bronze mounts in Louis XV style. This Commode is in excellent original condition. Featuring beautiful brass or...
Marble, Brass
Chest of Drawers Made In Teak With Four Drawers From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
This teak chest of drawers with four drawers is a beautiful example of Danish design from the 1960s. With its characteristic teak material, the chest of drawers radiates warmth and n...
Teak
$1,610Sale Price|30% Off
H 24 in W 24 in D 3 in
Mid Century Modern Brutalist Starburst Sunburst Wall Art. Curtis Jere Era
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Peoria, AZ
GORGEOUS! MID CENTURY MODERN BRUTALIST STARBURST METAL WALL SCULPTURE Direst Metal Sculpture Steel & Enamel Attributed to Curtis Jere 24" wide by 3" deep This marvelous metal...
Metal, Enamel
$1,162
H 25.6 in W 51.19 in D 0.79 in
Rare Vallauris Tile Wall Hanging Tableau with Flowers France 1960s
By Roger Capron, Vallauris
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vallauris wall mounted decoration tiles handcrafted and signed. Beautiful decor of summer flowers glazed tiles in bright colors orange, yellow, blue, gray and red, all signed by Vall...
Ceramic, Teak
Paolo De Poli framed enamel panel, Italy 1950s
By Paolo De Poli
Located in Milan, IT
Paolo De Poli framed enamel panel, Italy 1950s Original De Poli label on the back panel. Signature on the base left
Copper, Enamel
$680
H 11.75 in W 5.75 in D 5.75 in
Black Forest Folk Art Carved Wood Deer Head with Glass Eyes, 19th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art deer head wall decoration. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a trophy room or the office of ...
Glass, Wood
Pair of Hand Carved Cherub Angel Head, Anri, Italy, 1980s
By ANRI
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful hand carved pair of Cherub Angel head, found at an estate sale in Germany. Made by Anri a well-known wood carving company in Italy. We believe that these pieces are from th...
Wood
Antique Wooden Carved Black Forest Game Plaque with Fox
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique wooden carved Black Forest game plaque with fox An antique wooden hunting game plaque with impressive carving of a fox and hunting accessoires. Black Forest, executed ca. 1900. Very good condition. This plaque is a splendid addition to every rustic wall decoration. The tradition of wood carving in Brienz dates back to mid of the 19th century. People in the region were looking for new employment opportunities. They used their skills from traditional crafts, carving everyday objects and sculptures, and created a new business. Many woodcarvers were trained in the 'School of Wood Carving, Brienz' which was established in 1884. Around 1900 the woodcarving industry counted ca. 2000 woodcarvers. Brienz woodcarvings were presented on several worlds fairs with great success. With the Gran Tour Tourism wealthy people from all over the word visited the area and took their woodcarving souvenirs home. Today some companies, like 'Huggler Holzbildhauerei' still exist and build traditional sculptures. Measures: Width: 13.78" (35 cm) Height: 18.5" (47 cm) Depth: 2.76" (7 cm) Literature Reference: Peter F. Blackman, Black Forest Woodcarvings, Atglen 2009. Jay Arenski, Simon and Michael Daniels, Swiss Carvings...
Wood
$2,217
H 44.89 in W 38.19 in D 18.51 in
Mid‑Century Organic Italian Chest of Drawers Cabinet in Rattan & Bamboo, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning mid-century French Riviera chest of drawers and cabinet fully made in rattan and bamboo. This stylish organic dresser was made in Italy during the 1970s. In fabulous condit...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan, Wood
Marble Top chest of drawers with brass detailing
Located in Stockholm, SE
Cabinet, anonymous, Sweden, 1940s. Mahogany, beech, marble and brass. Dimensions: H: 70 cm / 2' 3 1/2'' W: 71 cm / 2' 4'' D: 42 cm / 16 1/2''
Marble, Brass
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
$5,027Sale Price|20% Off
H 80.32 in W 60.24 in D 0.3 in
Antique French Tapestry Handwoven French Tapestry Verdure Scenic Tapestry
Located in New York, NY
Rare Antique French Tapestry Pictorial Woodsman Verdure 1920 Tapestry Large Tapestry Wall Hanging 5'2" x 6'8" 5 x 7 153cm x 204cm circa 1920 "Thi...
Wool
Midcentury Cabinet Top Set of Drawers
By Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman, Evelyn Ackerman
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration is this simply beautiful miniature set of drawers featuring black walnut and brass pulls. The cabinet was crafted in Finland and ...
Brass
Evelyn Ackerman Bird Wood Carved Panel
By Evelyn Ackerman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wood carving by California artist, Evelyn Ackerman, c.1960s. This plaque features a hand carved bird. Dimensions 9.25" width x 1" depth x 12" height. Condition Good vintage condit...
Wood
Evelyn Ackerman Panelcarve Pisces Bas Relief Design Wood Panel
By Evelyn Ackerman
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Redwood bas relief tile panel with Piesces carving, designed and created by Evelyn and Jerry Ackerman of Los Angeles, California. Panel measures approx...
Wood
Evelyn Ackerman Panelcarve Scorpio Bas Relief Design Wood Panel
By Evelyn Ackerman
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Redwood bas relief tile panel designed and created by Evelyn and Jerry Ackerman of Los Angeles, California. Panel measures approximately 9" by 9" by 1....
Wood
Sold
H 9 in W 9 in D 1.25 in
Evelyn Ackerman Panelcarve Sagittarius Abstract Bas Relief Design Wood Panel
By Evelyn Ackerman
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Redwood bas relief tile panel designed and created by Evelyn and Jerry Ackerman of Los Angeles, California. Panel measures approximately 9" by 9" by 1....
Wood
Evelyn Ackerman Teak Wood Carving for ERA Industries, c.1960
By Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman, Evelyn Ackerman, Era Industries
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Evelyn Ackerman Teak Wood Carved Wall Plaque of Two Birds for ERA Industries, c.1960. Stamped ERA Industries Inc. to the back.
Teak
Evelyn Ackerman Birds and Tree Hand-Woven Wool Tapestry, 1960s
By Evelyn Ackerman
Located in Coronado, CA
A wonderful, utterly charming woven wool tapestry by Evelyn Ackerman as part of the ERA line, depicting 2 birds and a tree in vibrant greens, red, orange, and yellow. This piece was hand woven in the 1960s by skilled weavers near Mexico City. This piece features a stunning solid redwood textile hanger...
Wool, Wood
Evelyn Ackerman Tapestry for ERA Industries USA, 1962
By Evelyn Ackerman, Era Industries
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Evelyn Ackerman Tapestry for ERA Industries USA, 1962. Signed EA.
Wool
Evelyn Ackerman Animal Wood Carved Panel
By Evelyn Ackerman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wood carving by California artist, Evelyn Ackerman, c.1960s. This carving features a hand carved creature. Dimensions 12.5" width x 9.25" depth x 1" height. Condition Good, origina...
Wood
Evelyn Ackerman Carved Wood Panel
By Evelyn Ackerman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wood carving by California artist, Evelyn Ackerman, c.1960s. This carving features three animals, a zebra, an antelope and an owl in a rectangular ebonized wood frame. Dimensions 4...
Wood
Sold
H 42 in W 23 in D 0.2 in
Stunning Evelyn Ackerman Design Vibrant Wool Wall Hanging Tapestry 'Campasena'
By Evelyn Ackerman, Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman
Located in Hudson, NY
Vibrant original Evelyn Ackerman woven wool tapestry. Colors are rich and vibrant. Corner of tapestry has "EA" signature incorporated into the tapestry....
Wool
Carved Oak Wood Panel by Evelyn Ackerman
By Evelyn Ackerman
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Dark oak wood caved panel by Evelyn Ackerman for ERA Industries. It’s marked EA on the lower right corner and Stamped ERA Industries on back. Measurements: 39.18” Wide, 9.5” Hi...
Oak