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.
Abstract Brutalist Wire Horse Sculpture Marcello Fantoni for Raymor
By Marco Fantoni, Raymor
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century, abstract, Brutalist, horse sculpture by Marcello Fantoni for Raymor is a mixed metal wire sculpture mounted on a walnut base with copper label signed Fantoni Italy for R...
Metal
Vintage Abstract Fratelli Mannelli Travertine Desk Organizer Set for Raymor
By Fratelli Mannelli, Raymor
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage abstract Fratelli Mannelli travertine desk organizer set for Raymor. 2 Pieces.
Travertine
Marcello Fantoni Bowl
By Fantoni, Raymor
Located in Chicago, IL
Marcello Fantoni ceramic bowl, volcanic blue glaze on exterior with green glaze on interior. Signed [Fantoni Italy – Raymor Italy]. Raymor Italy 1955 Marcello Fantoni Glazed Ceramic
Ceramic
$830Sale Price|20% Off
H 13.19 in W 5.12 in D 4.34 in
Marcello Fantoni Sgraffito Jug Vase Raymor Italy Pottery Ceramic
By Marcello Fantoni, Raymor
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
The vintage ceramic jug vase by Marcello Fantoni from the 1960s is an exceptional and artistic piece that exemplifies the mastery of Italian cerami...
Ceramic, Clay, Pottery
$1,167Sale Price|20% Off
H 22.45 in W 5.12 in D 3.94 in
Marcello Fantoni style. Stunning brutalist sculpture, Italy, 1950s
By Silas Seandel, Paul Evans, Marcello Fantoni
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Brutalist sculpture in Marcello Fantoni's style, 50s. Made of copper metal cut with a torch and welded together the pieces that form it, creating a body of purely brutalist phantasma...
Copper, Iron
Vintage Brutalist Abstract Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This commanding vintage Brutalist sculpture is a striking example of the mid-century industrial art movement. Evoking the spirit of iconic designers like Curtis Jere, the piece featu...
Brass, Steel
Marcello Fantoni Ceramic Vase for Raymor
By Marcello Fantoni
Located in Dallas, TX
Marcello Fantoni (1915-2011) sculptor, ceramicist, metalworker, multi-media artist and designer Born in Florence in 1915, Marcello Fantoni began studying ceramic art at age 12 at the Art Institute of Florence with ceramicist Carlo Guerrini, artistic director of the famed Cantagalli Factory. He continued years of training in ceramics and the arts, including sculpture with Libero Andreotti and Bruno Innocenti, and figurative art with Gianni Vagnetti, graduating as a maestro of art in 1934. After a stint as art director for a ceramics factory in Perugia, in 1936 he opened the Fantoni Ceramic Studio in Florence. Here he produced ceramic series as well as unique pieces, sculptures and furnishings. In 1937 Fantoni’s pieces were exhibited in the Florence National Arts and Crafts Exhibit where their unique combination of rustic forms decorated with African and marine motifs and painted figures garnered considerable acclaim. By the start of World War II Fantoni’s melding of ancient Italian pottery techniques with decidedly Modernist elements had won him artistic and commercial success both in Italy and abroad. Having participated in the resistance, after the War Fantoni worked for the 500-year old Maiolica factory in Deruta, Umbria, renowned for its signature tin-glazed pottery. In the 1950s he refocused on his Florence studio, dedicating himself to larger sculptural pieces...
Ceramic
$1,495
H 14 in W 10 in D 10 in
Marcello Fantoni Signed Mid-Century Italian Raymor Oxblood Glazed Ceramic Vase
By Marcello Fantoni, Raymor
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautifully designed, quite large, exceptionally rare oxblood red glazed ceramic/pottery vase by Italian ceramics master and renowned designer Marcello Fantoni for Raymor. Again a ...
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Fratelli Mannelli Travertine Desk Organizer, 1970s
By Fratelli Mannelli
Located in Skokie, IL
Fratelli Mannelli Travertine Desk Organizer, Italy 1970s Additional information: Dimensions: 4" W x 4" D x 4" H
Travertine
Marcello Fantoni Sculpture
By Marcello Fantoni
Located in Chicago, IL
Marcello Fantoni, Untitled, Copper and Steel, 1960
Copper, Steel
Marcello Fantoni Ceramic Shelf Hanger
By Raymor, Marcello Fantoni
Located in Chicago, IL
Marcello Fantoni for Raymor ceramic shelf hanging person. Glazed Ceramic. Cat pictured sold separately.
Ceramic
Brutalist Bronze Horse Sculpture on Base
Located in San Diego, CA
Powerful Brutalist bronze sculpture depicting an abstracted horse, characterized by bold massing, angular reduction, and expressive surface modeling, circa 1970s. The elongated equin...
Bronze
$520Sale Price|20% Off
H 4.34 in W 6.7 in D 1.97 in
Enzo Mari for Fratelli Mannelli Travertine Elephant Sculpture
By Fratelli Mannelli, Enzo Mari
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Add a touch of timeless Italian design to your space with this exquisite travertine elephant sculpture by Enzo Mari for Fratelli Mannelli. Handcrafted from natural travertine stone, ...
Travertine
$1,850
H 18.5 in W 7 in D 4 in
Brutalist Sculpture "Family" Signed Italy, circa 1961 Manner of Marcello Fantoni
By Marcello Fantoni
Located in Buffalo, NY
Brutalist sculpture "Family" signed Italy, circa 1961, manner of Fanoni. Amazing form surface Classic modernist well executed.
Metal
Sold
H 20.75 in W 11.5 in D 4.75 in
Marcello Fantoni for Ryamor Italy Brutalist Dappled Brass Wire Sculpture Bottles
By Marcello Fantoni, Raymor
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is this rare Marcello Fantoni for Raymor signed Italian dappled brass brutalist table sculpture of bottles. Dimensions: 11.5W x 4.75D x 20.75H.
Brass
Italian Monumental Travertine Obelisk for Raymor
By Raymor
Located in Chicago, IL
A monumental Italian Travertine decorative obelisk for Raymor. No chips, lovely cream travertine. Labels intact. Made in Italy. Raymor. Overall size: 6" W x 6" D x 15" H. Obelisk ta...
Travertine
Sold
H 7.75 in W 7.75 in D 2.25 in
Vintage Fratelli Mannelli Travertine Pair of Architectural Vases for Raymor
By Fratelli Mannelli, Raymor
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Fratelli Mannelli travertine pair of architectural vases for Raymor Need to confirm if they hold water or if they are meant for dry flowers....
Travertine
Sold
H 5.88 in W 5.88 in D 3.88 in
Vintage Abstract Fratelli Mannelli Travertine Bookends Collection for Raymor
By Raymor, Fratelli Mannelli
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage abstract fratelli mannelli travertine book ends collection for Raymor Set of 3. (6 Pieces) Dimensions are of the square bookend.
Travertine
Sold
H 9.25 in W 4.25 in D 4.25 in
Collection of Travertine Objects by F. Lli Mannelli, for Raymor, Italy, 1960s
By Raymor, Fratelli Mannelli
Located in Miami, FL
Collection of objects consisting of an obelisk, sphere, and disk or puck bud vase, rendered in travertine designed by F. Lli Mannelli for Raymor, Italy, 1960s.
Travertine
Ben Seibel Bookends, Brass Orb
By Ben Seibel, Raymor
Located in New York, NY
Ben Seibel bookends, brass orb. Rounded sculptural bookends with cutout. Original brass plated finish shows scratches, signs of wear, and crazing. Seibel, ...
Brass
Sold
H 17.5 in W 7 in D 3.38 in
Hammered Metal and White Marble Sculpture by Marcello Fantoni for Raymor, 1960s
By Raymor, Marcello Fantoni
Located in Miami, FL
A Brutalist Mid-Century Modern abstract welded metal and white Carrara marble statue by artist Marcello Fantoni (Italian, 1915-2011) for Raymor, dating from the 1960s. The midcentury sculpture portrays three stylized human figures, resting on a carved marble rectangular base. Marked Fantoni Firenze...
Carrara Marble, Metal
Ben Seibel Bookends Brass Orb Jenfred-Ware Raymor Signed
By Ben Seibel, Raymor
Located in New York, NY
Ben Seibel brass Orb bookends Jenfred-Ware Raymor Signed. Rounded sculptural bookends with cutout. Original brass plated finish is warm and bright. Signed: one of the bookends retain...
Brass
Rare Italian Ceramic Duck by Aldo Londi Bitossi for Raymor
By Aldo Londi, Raymor
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful rare Italian ceramic duck by Aldo Londi for Raymor from 1960s. The duck is from the “Rimini Blue” collection, it’s sign made in Italy and still retains the Raymor paper ...
Cut Steel
Marcello Fantoni Abstract Metal Sculpture
By Raymor, Marcello Fantoni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A rare abstract metal sculpture by post-war Italian artist Marcello Fantoni for Raymor. Known primarily for his ceramics, Fantoni's work in metal evoked the visual styles of several ...
Metal
Enameled Pyramid by Raymor
By Raymor
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Enameled pyramid by Raymor.
Brass, Enamel
A Rare Midcentury Ceramic Mythological Sculpture by Bitossi for Raymor
By Bitossi, Raymor
Located in Astoria, NY
A vintage ceramic 'Rimini Blu' sculpture, produced circa 1960's by Bitossi for Raymor, in mixed blue and green glazes over incised decoration, in the very unusual form of a hybrid my...
Ceramic