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.
Vintage Mid Century "Gallant Horse" Mosaic by Evelyn Ackerman
By Evelyn Ackerman, Era Industries
Located in Oxnard, CA
Here is a fantastic "Gallant Horse" glass tile mosaic by Evelyn Ackerman, ERA Industries, circa 1950s. It is in excellent original condition with only minor wear to the walnut frame...
Glass, Walnut
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 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
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
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
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
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
$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
Evelyn Ackerman Carved Redwood Panel for Panelcarve, circa 1950s
By Evelyn Ackerman, Panelcarve
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
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
Mounted Wood Horse Head
Located in Houston, TX
This fabulous carved Horse head is from a French Saddlery. Saddleries were used to design, manufacture, rebuild, and repair a wide variety of saddles, saddle trees, harnesses, riding...
Metal
$1,280
H 22 in W 22 in D 1 in
Mixed Materials Wall Decoration Sculpture by Johannes Wilhelmus Van Dartelen
By Johannes Wilhelmus van Dartelen
Located in Buffalo, NY
Johannes Wilhelmus Van Dartelen copper art fossilized stone signed Brazil made and presented for the crew of the Pan American. This is a one of a kind piece of art by Johannes...
Stone, Copper
$1,880
H 23.5 in W 8.5 in D 14.75 in
Large Folk Art Wood Carved Deer Head with Real Antlers, Austria 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 ...
Wood
$6,301Sale Price|20% Off
H 75.99 in W 51.97 in D 0.3 in
Antique French Tapestry Handwoven French Tapestry Aubusson Verdure Tapestry
Located in New York, NY
Rare Antique French Tapestry Verdure Human Flirting Scene Beige after "Francois Boucher" "This is an outstanding one-of-a-kind handmade Antique French Aubusson Tapestry after "Franc...
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
$2,500
H 43.5 in W 42.25 in D 0.5 in
Vintage Hand-Hooked Wool Equestrian Tapestry Evelyn Ackerman for Era Industries
By Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a vintage hand-hooked wool equestrian tapestry designed by mid-century American artist Evelyn Ackerman for ERA Industries in the 1960s. Retains original label...
Wool
Mid-Century Modern Glass Mosaic Wall Art by Ercole Home
By Ercole Home
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This mid century decorative glass wall art is hand cut and made by hand by skillful artisans in Brooklyn, and framed in natural solid oak. Resistant to fading and aging. Limited e...
Stained Glass, Oak
$24,000 / set
H 79 in W 27 in D 3 in
Pair of Magnificent Antique French Carved Wood Panels Depicting the Four Seasons
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An Extraordinary Pair of early 20th century carved wood Panels depicting the Four Seasons. Tall narrow unpainted panels with high relief carved decoration with motifs of the Four Sea...
Wood
Provincetown Folk Art Carved Wood Whale Wall Sculpture
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
3-575 hand carved wood grey whale wall sculpture signed Claire on verso
Fruitwood
$5,780Sale 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
This is a beautiful pictorial antique French tapestry created after William Morris, inspired by the famous mille fleurs tapestries of Cluny, Paris, and featuring a richly detailed ve...
Wool
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
$960
H 12 in W 6.5 in D 9 in
Black Forest Folk Art Carved Wood Chamois Head with Real Horns, 19th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art chamois head wall decoration. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a trophy room or the office of a Hunter or Woodsman. More ...
Wood
$570Sale Price|40% Off
H 29 in W 23 in D 2 in
Rare 1960s MCM Tropical Hula Girl Hand Cut Wood 3D Wall Sculptural Framed Art
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Mid-Century mix-media cut wood 3D wall sculpture featuring Hawaiian hula girl with multicolored scenic of flowers and palm leaves with a textured burlap background. Flaming tiki torc...
Wood
Peruvian Retablo from the Evelyn Ackerman Estate
By Evelyn Ackerman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Peruvian retablo purchased from the Evelyn Ackerman estate. This colorful piece features two hinged doors with floral paintings. The interior showcases small ceramic figurines in wha...
Wood, Ceramic
$2,750
H 20.5 in Dm 1.75 in
Carved Redwood Architectural Panel by Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman for Panelcarve
By Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
The radiating sun motif reflects the optimism and indoor–outdoor living ideals central to California mid-century architecture. Solar imagery became a defining decorative element in t...
Wood
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 Ackerman, Evelyn & Jerome 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
Pair of Vintage Mid-Century Tapestries by Evelyn Ackerman
By Era Industries, Evelyn Ackerman
Located in Oxnard, CA
Here is a pair of hand-hooked tapestry rugs by beloved 20th century artisan - Evelyn Ackerman. These beautiful wall hangings are in excellent original condition and measure approximately 18" x 50" each. One depicts a whimsical peacock with bold colors and hidden hearts...
Wool
Ackerman
By Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman, Evelyn Ackerman
Located in San Diego, CA
Sculptural wood wall plaque by Evelyn Ackerman for her and Jerome Ackerman's company, ERA. It has a wonderful patina and includes a hanging bracket on the back. Evelyn Ackerman w...
Wood
Sold
H 12 in W 11 in D 1 in
Evelyn and Jerry Jerome Ackerman Wood, Wall Sculpture / Panel / Carving, Signed
By Evelyn Ackerman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This panel is one original from the wood studio in Los Angeles and is actually hand signed Evelyn Ackerman Design in back.
Wood
Evelyn Ackerman Hard-Edge Textile Art Tapestry
By Evelyn Ackerman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A great California design. This was recently acquired from the estate of Jerome and Evelyn Ackerman. She made this as a bed cover. It was being used in her home. I saw the potentia...
Fabric