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.
Marcello Fantoni Ceramic Shelf Hanger
By Marcello Fantoni, Raymor
Located in Chicago, IL
Marcello Fantoni for Raymor ceramic shelf hanging person. Glazed Ceramic. Cat pictured sold separately.
Ceramic
Wire Sculpture by Marcello Fantoni for Raymor
By Marcello Fantoni, Raymor
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A bronze wire sculpture of a prancing horse on a wooden base.
Bronze
$850Sale Price|43% Off
H 16 in Dm 5.5 in
Large Vintage Italian Pottery and Leather Vase by Fantoni for Raymor
By Raymor, Marcello Fantoni
Located in Chicago, IL
Large Vintage Italian Pottery and Leather Vase attributed to Fantoni for Raymor. An attractive tall 16" tapering ovoid pottery form covered i...
Leather, Pottery
$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
Marcello Fantoni Ceramic Vase, Glazed Stoneware, circa 1970s
By Marcello Fantoni
Located in New York, NY
Italian artist Marcello Fantoni ceramic vase is glazed stoneware made circa 1970s. This piece was acquired directly from the artist by the seller, who was a personal friend of Marcel...
Ceramic
$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
Ceramic Poodle with Jeweled Collar
Located in Hanover, MA
1960s Italian ceramic poodle with jeweled collar.
Ceramic
Marcello Fantoni Unusual Modernist Ceramic Wall Plate, Italy 1950s
By Marcello Fantoni
Located in Milan, IT
Marcello Fantoni Unusual Modernist Ceramic Wall Plate, Italy 1950s
Ceramic
$240Sale Price|63% Off
H 1.5 in Dm 10 in
Monumental Brutalist Ashtray by Marcello Fantoni for Raymor, 1950s
By Raymor, Marcello Fantoni
Located in View Park, CA
A green glow: monumental vintage Italian brutalist hand-worked metal ashtray by Marcello Fantoni for Raymor, made in Italy circa 1950. Patinated copper in tones of chartreuse, teal, and pewter. Born in Florence in 1915, Marcello Fantoni wed ancient Italian pottery technique with decidedly Modernist elements, garnering tremendous acclaim both at home and abroad - his work has been collected by important museums worldwide. When Fantoni died in Florence in 2011 at the age of 95, his obituary in the Italian newspaper La Nazione hailed him “the master of beauty.” This stunning piece certainly justifies the moniker. With the signature etched on verso, it is without doubt an heirloom rarity for the savvy collector...
Copper
$9,800 / set
H 23.63 in Dm 10.24 in
Monumental Pair of Marcello Fantoni Etruscan Sgraffiti Vases with Covers
By Marcello Fantoni
Located in Skanninge, SE
An outstanding pair of vases with covers in the sgraffiti technique by the Italian master Marcello Fantoni. These ceramic masterpieces are in perfect condition and they are both sign...
Ceramic
$1,495
H 14 in W 10 in D 10 in
Marcello Fantoni Signed Mid-Century Italian Raymor Oxblood Glazed Ceramic Vase
By Raymor, Marcello Fantoni
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
Marcello Fantoni Vase
By Marcello Fantoni
Located in Hanover, MA
Tall slender vase by Marcello Fantoni with applied enamel and various geometric shapes and colors, early factory mark, Italy.
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
Abstract Brutalist Wire Horse Sculpture Marcello Fantoni for Raymor
By Raymor, Marco Fantoni
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
Sold
H 13 in W 7 in D 7 in
Rare! Girl Jump Rope Sculpture Cranbrook Ind. Bronze Raymor Malcolm Moran 1956
By Malcolm Moran, Raymor
Located in Peoria, AZ
Wow! Rare Early Malcolm Moran Cranbrook Industries Richards Morgenthou (Raymor) Here is a super rare 1950s work by, then starting out, sculptor ...
Metal, Bronze
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
Sold
H 8.25 in W 7.75 in D 10 in
Raymor Bitossi Ceramic Duck / Bird with Metal Feet by Aldo Londi Made in Italy
By Raymor, Aldo Londi
Located in Hudson, NY
A uncommon ceramic duck glazed in blue. Designed by Aldo Londi and distributed by Raymor. Made in Italy signed. Supported by two black steel rods that attach to triangular feet.
Ceramic
Sold
H 16 in W 17 in D 6.5 in
Monumental Italian, 1960s Aldo Londi for Bitossi Art Pottery Horse Sculpture
By Raymor, Aldo Londi
Located in Hyattsville, MD
The Rare Very Large Size. Extremely Heavy as Well. There are Two noticeable Glaze Chips; right top saddle, and right side of saddle.
Ceramic