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 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
$1,500Sale Price|20% Off
H 44.4 in W 31 in D 0.2 in
Boos Wool Tapestry, Contemporary Wall Hanging, Naturally Dyed and Handwoven
By Andrew Boos
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This wall hanging is a one of a kind heirloom piece. Taking inspiration from brutalism, mid-century abstraction, and Joseph Albers studies on the interaction of color. The entire pr...
Wool, Cotton
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
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
$7,226
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
$5,425
H 48 in W 60 in D 0.2 in
Antique French Tapestry 4X5 Handmade Tapestry Verdure Tapestry 122cm x 153CM
Located in New York, NY
Rare Antique French Tapestry handmade Verdure Tapestry 4' x 5' 122cm x 153cm Circa 1920 A magnificent antique French tapestry depicting a hunting scene amongst a verdure setting...
Wool
$7,877
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" 4'4" x 6'4" 132cm width x 193cm Height circa 1920 "This is an outstanding one-of-a-k...
Wool
Vintage Mid Century Modern Hand Woven Tapestry Wall Art
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
$6,750
H 66.15 in W 31.89 in D 0.3 in
Antique French Tapestry Rococo Tapestry Blue Wool & Silk 3x6 Handwoven Tapestry
Located in New York, NY
Rare Antique French Tapestry Rococo Tapestry Green Blue 2'8" x 5'6" (3' x 6') 81cm x 168cm Circa 1920 "A magnificent antique French tapestry with Rococo style. It has very rare in...
Silk, Wool
$17,775 / item
H 48 in W 90 in D 3 in
Shearling and Leather Vertebrae Wall Tapestry Art by Moses Nadel
By Moses Nadel
Located in Oyster Bay, NY
The Vertebrae Wall Tapestry X creates a feeling of balance, beauty, and softness. Leather links hang from a minimalist wooden peg rail to support two curly shearling panels verticall...
Leather, Sheepskin, Felt, Hardwood
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
$6,322Sale Price|23% Off
H 98.04 in W 62.21 in D 0.48 in
1870 Antique French Tapestry Wool & Silk Tapestry Beige Handmade Tapestry
Located in New York, NY
Amazing Rare Antique French Tapestry Fine Wool & Silk Beige 5'2" x 8" 158cm x249cm Circa 1870 "This is a very fine Authentic Antique French Tapestry in Wool &am...
Silk
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 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 Era Industries, Evelyn Ackerman
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Evelyn Ackerman Tapestry for ERA Industries USA, 1962. Signed EA.
Wool
Sold
H 42 in W 23 in D 0.2 in
Stunning Evelyn Ackerman Design Vibrant Wool Wall Hanging Tapestry 'Campasena'
By Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman, Evelyn 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
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
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
Sold
H 54 in W 27 in D 0.13 in
Large Evelyn Ackerman Tapestry Birds in Tree, Very Rare, Signed EA, Labeled
By Evelyn Ackerman
Located in Kansas City, MO
This is a very rare, large tapestry by Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman. Condition is very good. No stains or tears. In fact the only blemishes appear to be inherent in the handwoven wool....
Wool
Evelyn Ackerman Wall Tapestry, Wool, Label, Signed
By Evelyn Ackerman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Evelyn Ackerman wall tapestry, signed with initial and original label.
Wool
Evelyn Ackerman Tapestry
By Evelyn Ackerman
Located in Kansas City, MO
Evelyn Ackerman wall hanging tapestry. Bird and flower motif.
Wool
Evelyn Ackerman Signed Tapestry
By Evelyn Ackerman
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Evelyn Ackerman signed tapestry or wall hanging, circa early 1960s. This example features a stylish young woman holding a bird in he...
Very Rare, Large and Stunning Evelyn Ackerman Tapestry
By Evelyn Ackerman
Located in Kansas City, MO
We have had a number of EA tapestries over the years, but this is, by far, the best. Excellent condition. Five feet high. The photos tell the story.
Wool
Rare Evelyn Ackerman for ERA Tapestry, Signed
By Evelyn Ackerman
Located in Kansas City, MO
We have never seen this one before and it's not in the books. Rare and in excellent condition.
Wool
Stallion tapestry by Evelyn Ackerman for ERA
By Evelyn Ackerman
Located in Kansas City, MO
Signed Stallion wall hanging by Evelyn Ackerman. In 1952, the Ackermans opened Jenev Design Studio. Four years later Jenev became ERA industries. With this transition, the coupl...
Wool