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.
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 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
Art Deco Bronze Floral Motif Architectural Panel
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Art Deco bronze floral motif architectural panel, each one of rectangular form with pierced floral still life.
Bronze
$1,450
H 24 in W 76 in D 3 in
19th Century Red Painted Architectural Panel with Carved Golden Rinceaux Motifs
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique carved and painted architectural panel from the 19th century, with rinceaux motifs. This exquisite 19th-century carved and painted architectural panel captures the eye wit...
Wood
Carved Georgian Architectural Frieze Panel
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An original Georgian architectural pine frieze panel c.1800, handcarved with scallop shell to the centre and scrolling foliage. Fitted with strin...
Wood, Pine
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
$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
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
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
H 24.5 in W 9 in D 1 in
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
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
Italian Gilt Carved Panel
Located in New York, NY
Italian gilt carved panel. Neoclassical carved gilt wood open work panel with alternating square and round paterae with acanthus and further egg and dart borders in original mecca gi...
Giltwood
Antique Italian Gilded Carved Panel
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique Italian gilded carved panel from the late 19th to early 20th century. Dated to circa 1900, this ornately carved panel could be a wall hanging, pediment, overdoor or even ...
Pine, Giltwood
Chinese Carved Panel Board
Located in New York, NY
19th century auspicious carved panel story board. Chinese carved wooden panel of one solid piece of carved wood set in a wooden frame. A C...
Wood
Sold
H 16.5 in W 36.88 in D 1.19 in
Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman 1957 MCM " Gallant Horse " Glass Tile Mosaic Wall Art
By Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century Modern " Gallant Horse " glass tile mosaic art panel by Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman for their company ERA Industries, 1957. Mosaic glass tiles laid to Masonite in artist-m...
Glass, Spruce
Evelyn Ackerman Teak Wood Carving for ERA Industries, c.1960
By Era Industries, Evelyn Ackerman, Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman
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
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
Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman Gallant Horse Mosaic, 1950s
By Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman
Located in San Diego, CA
Gallant Horse glass tile mosaic by Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman for their company, ERA. Wood frame. ERA Industries, 1957. Retains original label. Liter...
Wood, Masonite
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 2.8 in W 22 in D 1.5 in
Evelyn and Jerry Jerome Ackerman, Knife Holder/Wood Wall Sculpture /Panel, Titled
By Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman, Era Industries
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This knife holder was retailed by Macy's store in the 70/80's for the gourmet department This is called "Bird Garden". This piece came from the Ackerman's studio, never used, and wit...
Wood
Sold
H 7.25 in W 9 in D 1 in
Evelyn and Jerry Jerome Ackerman"Acorn" Carving/Sculpture.Panel, Era Industries
By Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman, Era Industries
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very few samples of this pattern are in the market today.
Wood
Sold
H 7.25 in W 9 in D 1 in
Evelyn and Jerry Jerome Ackerman "horse"carving/sculpture, Panel, Era Industries
By Era Industries, Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These carvings were made for just few years.
Wood
Sold
H 12 in W 9 in D 0.5 in
Evelyn and Jerry Jerome Ackerman "Bear" Carving/Sculpture Panel, Era Industries
By Era Industries, Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very nice bear in oak carving panel designed by Evelyn Ackerman. Wall sculpture.
Wood, Oak
Sold
H 12 in W 9 in D 0.5 in
Jerry and Evelyn Ackerman Wood Carving Sculpture/Panel, by Era Industries Marked
By Era Industries, Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a nice and traditional design by the well known artist Evelyn Ackerman, and made for Era industries as stamped in back. This rosewood carving it was designed for multiple pur...
Wood, Rosewood
Sold
H 36 in W 12 in D 2 in
Jerome and Evelyn Ackerman Pair of Balinese Dancer Glass Tile Mosaic Wall Panels
By Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of glass mosaic Ackerman wall panels entitled "Balinese Dancer", circa 1958. Panels measure 36" by 12" and are signed with partial ERA paper tags ...
Glass
Evelyn Ackerman for ERA Knife Holder
By Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman
Located in San Diego, CA
Sculptural wood knife holder by Evelyn Ackerman for her and Jerome Ackerman's company, ERA. Signed on the back.
Wood