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 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 Jerome and Evelyn Ackerman furniture on 1stDibs.
$2,125 / item
Midcentury Cabinet Top Set of Drawers
By Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman, Evelyn 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
Jerome 'Jerry' & Evelyn Ackerman Micro-Mosaic Inlaid Desk Drawer Handle Pull
By Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic little micro-mosaic design gem with turquose colored mosaic inlay by well know Mid-Century Modern designers Jerome (Jerry) & Evelyn Ackerman. The Ackermans began their career in design primarily in ceramics in the early 1950s. After finishing at Alfred University, Jerome worked at the Jenev Design Studio developing ceramic molds...
Metal
Jerome 'Jerry' & Evelyn Ackerman Micro-Mosaic Inlaid Desk Drawer Handle Pull
By Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic little micro-mosaic design gem with orange colored mosaic inlay by well know Mid-Century Modern designers Jerome (Jerry) & Evelyn Ackerman. The Ackermans began their career in design primarily in ceramics in the early 1950s. After finishing at Alfred University, Jerome worked at the Jenev Design Studio developing ceramic molds...
Metal
$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
$1,725Sale Price|50% Off
H 48 in W 34 in D 20 in
Mid-Century Modern Teak Tall 7 Drawer Dresser Brass Finger Pulls
By Dyrlund
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern teak tall 7 drawer dresser brass finger pulls. Very nice construction all drawers are clean inside and out and slide smooth. Very unique Brass finger pulls. Locate...
Brass
$4,500
H 30 in W 77.5 in D 18 in
Expertly Restored - Danish Modern 9-Drawer Teak Dresser with Steel Pulls
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials Teak Wood, Steel Handles ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take th...
Steel
$4,595
H 33.25 in W 76.5 in D 16 in
Vintage Mid Century Modern 9 Drawer Long Dresser with Sculpted drawer pulls.
Located in Seattle, WA
This vintage mid century modern long dresser features a clean-lined Scandinavian-inspired design with warm wood tones and sculpted integrated drawer pulls.The case is elevated on tap...
Wood
$3,300Sale Price|34% Off
H 31 in W 48 in D 14 in
Modern Butterscotch Mosaic 2-Drawer Desk with Chocolate Oak by Ercole Home
By Ercole Home
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This is a very attractive and functional piece to be used as a writing desk or vanity in a modern home. Rich, warm, and modern, this desk can add sleek comfort to your space. Handcr...
Art Glass, Cut Glass, Oak
$4,850
H 29 in W 54 in D 30 in
Desk by Jens Risom, Blonde Wood, Blue Drawer Fronts, Chrome Pulls, Laminate Top
By Jens Risom
Located in Kansas City, MO
Jens Risom desk for Risom Designs. Birch wood case, light blue lacquered drawer fronts, chrome pulls, brass feet, and virtually indestructible Laminate top. Condition is good and com...
Brass, Chrome
Chest of Drawers Made In Rosewood From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
Get a timeless piece of Danish design history with this beautiful chest of drawers in rosewood from the 1960s. The rosewood not only adds warmth to the room, but it also highlights t...
Rosewood
$2,800 / set
H 1.5 in W 2.25 in D 0.75 in
Set of 10 Paul Frankl “X” Metal Drawer Pulls Handles, Keeler Brass, 1950s
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in East Quogue, NY
Rare, complete set of ten (10) authentic vintage gold-toned metal “X” drawer pulls, removed from a Paul Frankl dresser produced by the Johnson Furniture Company, circa 1950s. Measur...
Metal
$2,158
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
Stan Usel Desk Mosaic Stainless Steel and Malachites
By Stan Usel 1
Located in Brussels, BE
Created to measure by Stan Usel, this desk of stainless steel, red copper and brass is inserted with a magnificent malachite and agates stones highlighting a mosaic radiation. Each p...
Malachite, Brass, Copper, Stainless Steel
$10,195 / item
H 22.25 in W 22.05 in D 20.08 in
Acerbis Storet Drawers Cabinet in Black Ash with Bordeaux Glossy Lacquered
By Acerbis, Nanda Vigo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The collection is enriched with a version with four drawers and more contemporary finishes. In 1994 Nanda Vigo designed a ten-drawer cabinet for Acerbis Storet. It became part of the Bed Side collection thanks to its bedroom-style finishes. The current version preserves its poetic dimension and introduces contemporary elements that enable it to be versatile in the living and dining area. Structure and drawers A chest of drawers’ system made of medium density wood fibre with open grain brushed veneer in black ash and dark stained walnut finishes. The furniture’s key element is the drawers’ moulding...
Ash
$16,919 / set
H 36.62 in W 48.04 in D 17.72 in
Børge Mogensen Set of "China" No. 232 Cabinets Oak & Brass, Denmark, 1960s
By C.M. Madsen, FDB Møbler, Børge Mogensen
Located in Odense, DK
Set of original model 232 'China' cabinets all in oak with maple interior. Beautiful keys and handles in brass. Designed by Børge Mogensen in 1960 and produced by cabinetmaker C.M. M...
Brass
Jerome 'Jerry' & Evelyn Ackerman Micro-Mosaic Inlaid Desk Drawer Handle Pull
By Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic little micro-mosaic design gem with orange inlay by well know Mid-Century Modern designers Jerome (Jerry) & Evelyn Ackerman. The Ackermans began their career in design primarily in ceramics in the early 1950s. After finishing at Alfred University, Jerome worked at the Jenev Design Studio developing ceramic molds...
Metal
Midcentury Cabinet Top Set of Drawers
By Evelyn Ackerman, Evelyn & Jerome 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 and Jerome Ackerman Mid-Century Spice Rack, Era Industries
By Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman, Evelyn Ackerman, Era Industries
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful carved wood spice rack. Playing a central role as designer-craftsmen, Jerome and Evelyn Ackerman helped to shape what is now know...
Wood