Few had their finger on the pulse of American furniture like importer and distributor Raymor. Founder Irving Richards first had his eyes opened to the world of furniture while attending the 1928 Salon d’Automne art and design fair in Paris. He joined Lightolier two years later and developed its business relationships, including with designer Russel Wright.
Wright and Richards met in 1935 and Russel Wright, Inc. was formed in 1936. Its American Modern ceramic tableware, produced under the name Wright Accessories in 1938, was a notably lucrative collaboration. Following the early success of American Modern, Richards obtained the majority share of Wright Accessories and changed its name to Raymor Mfg Division Inc. in 1941.
By 1952, the exclusivity over American Modern had ended (the line was initially produced by Wright Associates and later manufactured by Steubenville for two decades). To keep up with American markets, Raymor worked with prominent designers such as George Nelson, Arthur Umanoff, Ray and Charles Eames, and Hans J. Wegner.
The company’s imports expanded to Denmark, which contributed to the rise of Scandinavian modern designs in the American market. Throughout the 1950s, Richards established relationships with factories in Scandinavia, Italy and Germany, as well as with the influential tastemaker and importer Charles Stendig.
The furniture company Simmons bought Raymor in 1963 and changed its name to Raymor Richards, Morgenthau Inc. in 1969. During that time, Raymor’s Omnibus range of Scandinavian-style wall units became widely popular, along with Italian glass and pottery like Bitossi ceramics designed by Aldo Londi and Bagni ceramics by Alvino Bagni.
Shifting styles coupled with rising competition, and the departure of Richards from the company, ended Raymor. By the late 1970s, Raymor faced a wave of international factories able to produce similar products of lesser quality for a lower cost. Buyers were eager to frequently change their interior styles, limiting the need for high-end, durable furniture, which Raymor had been importing.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Raymor ceramics, lamps, decorative objects and more.
Raymor Green & Brown Footed Planter / Orchid Pot
By Raymor
Located in New York, NY
A handmade ceramic footed planter or orchid pot by Raymor. Italy, circa 1950. Signed/numbered. Features a geometric pattern in shades of green, brown and yellow. Measures 6.5 in...
Ceramic
Crucible Planter Pot Vessel
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A Crucible transformed into a planter offers a unique and unconventional way to showcase plants and bring an Industrial touch to your space. Traditionally used in metalworking and chemistry, a Crucible is a container made of a heat-resistant Material like ceramic or metal. Repurposing a Crucible as a planter adds a distinct and intriguing aesthetic to your garden or indoor plant display. Its original purpose as a vessel for extreme heat makes it durable and resistant, perfect for holding soil and plants. The Crucible...
Ceramic
Large Footed Porcelain Vaso Planter in Matte Mint Green
By Cultivated Gardens for Middle Kingdom
Located in Manassas Park, VA
Middle Kingdom garden vaso are modeled after traditional terra cotta wares but are made from pigmented porcelain. The bowl can be moved from the base for planting and watering. The C...
Porcelain
$25,000 / set
H 53.94 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Pair of Enamel Ceramic Planters Signed Lechenet, Nice, France, circa 1900
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of enamel ceramic planters signed Lechenet. Nice, France, circa 1900.
Ceramic
Mid Century Bitosi Flower Pot att. to Aldo Londi for Raymor Made in Italy
By Aldo Londi, Raymor
Located in New York, NY
Classic Italian pottery planter, jardiniere, flower pot, Bitosi vase attributed to Aldo Londi for Raymor, made in Italy c. 1950/60's. This example is in excellent original, undamag...
Ceramic, Pottery
French Art Nouveau Longchamp Bronze Mounted Ceramic Planter
By Longchamp
Located in Winter Park, FL
A large French Art Nouveau bronze mounted glazed ceramic planter or cachepot from Longchamp, Burgundy. Vibrant hand painted colorful flowers with bright green foliage and metallic go...
Bronze
Brutalist Crucible Pot Planter
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Vintage crucible, repurposed as unique planter or pot, carries the marks of their industrial past while offering a striking blend of function and history. Made from heavy-duty refrac...
Ceramic
Yellow and White Italian Ceramic Planter
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1970’s Italian ceramic planter. Glazed yellow and white. Retains hand made in Italy label. Measurements: 14” diameter 18” high.
Ceramic
Pair of Brutalist Crucibles Pot Planter
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A striking pair of Brutalist crucible-form vessels with a heavily textured, volcanic-like surface and beautifully weathered patina. Originally industrial in spirit, these substantial...
Ceramic
Green Swirl Ceramic Touring Pottery Folk Art Pot in Green and Brown
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful green, brown, and cream touring pot or planter. This piece is glazed on the interior in rich emerald verdigris blue-green glaze and will be perfect for use as a planter. Bottom reads in black: Made in Cripple Creek...
Ceramic
Early Gainey Large Green California Mid Century Modern Planter Pot
By Gainey Pottery
Located in San Diego, CA
Large rounded planter pot. Earlier production by Gainey of LaVerne Ca. beautiful olive green with spreckles glaze satin finish, Beautiful shape and color , very cool bell inverted sh...
Ceramic
Huge Gainey Pottery Ceramic Planter Deep Red
By Gainey Pottery
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Spectacular Gainey Pottery ceramic planter measuring 30.25" diameter, 12" H. Rich, deep red color, high gloss glaze. Vintage, never used stock.
$600Sale Price|20% Off
H 8.5 in W 17 in D 8.5 in
Italian Sheep Lamp White Ceramic Statue Planter Pot Vintage Hollywood Regency
By Hollywood Glam
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage white ceramic lamb or sheep plant pot, planter. Made in Italy. No chips or breaks.
Ceramic
Arthur Umanoff for Raymor Redwood Slat and Iron Coffee/cocktail Table
By Arthur Umanoff, Raymor
Located in Southampton, NJ
A rare work from Arthur Umanoff's series of "Redwood for Outdoor Living" for Raymor. Described in the original advertisement as a cocktail table with magazine rack. "Many familie...
Iron
1950s, Sgrafitto Gold and Green Footed Bowl by Raymor
By Raymor
Located in New York, NY
A handmade ceramic rooted bowl or planter by Rymor. Features a sgraffito textured surface with alternating bands of gold and pale green. Signed.
Ceramic
Bitossi Raymor Italian Modernist Large Scale Foamy Ceramic Vessel Urn Planter
By Raymor
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Textured, foamy glaze ceramic Italian open vessel imported by Raymor, circa 1960s. Urn measures 10.5" in height by 8" in diameter. Signed Italy on the bottom and in very good vintage...
Ceramic
Sold
H 32 in W 15 in D 16 in
Set of Four Tony Paul for Woodlin-Hall Black Enameled Iron Bistro Chairs, 1950s
By Raymor, Tony Paul
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Set of four Tony Paul "Ice Cream Parlor Group"Indoor Outdoor Black Metal Chairs manufactured by Woodlin-Hall and distributed by Raymor. Featuring a rust resistant open Metal framewor...
Iron