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.
$1,808Sale Price|33% Off
Vaso attribuito ad Aldo Londi / Bitossi per Raymor
By Ettore Sottsass, Bitossi, Aldo Londi, Raymor
Located in Lugo, IT
Vaso in terracotta attribuito ad Aldo Londi/Bitossi per Raymor. Buone condizioni Grazie
Terracotta
Aldo Londi Bitossi Horse Sculpture, Ceramic, Italy, 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Aldo Londi Bitossi Horse Sculpture, Ceramic, Italy, 1960s. Medium scale horse with white glaze over a coarse matte brown raw clay. Small indentation to r...
Ceramic
Aldo Londi Lava Glazed Ceramic Pottery Vase for Bitossi / Raymor
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Aldo Londi Lava Glazed Ceramic Pottery Vase for Bitossi / Raymor Materials: Lava Glazed Ceramic
Ceramic
$1,950
H 18 in W 7 in D 7 in
18" Aldo Londi for Bitossi Italian Geometric Ceramic Vase, Raymor Label, 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Raymor, Bitossi
Located in Minneapolis, MN
This is an impressive large-scale Italian ceramic vase designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi and imported to the United States by Raymor, one of the foremost purveyors of Italian modern...
Ceramic
$2,000
H 7 in W 6 in D 14 in
Vintage Aldo Londi Italian Ceramiche Bird / Duck Sculpture by Bitossi Raymor
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi, Raymor
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage ceramiche bird / duck sculpture by Aldo Londi for Bitossi Raymor, circa 1960s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with great color and texture; it would make a fanta...
Ceramic
$1,778
H 5.99 in Dm 5.91 in
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Ceramic Mid-Century Silver Owl Sculpture, Italy, 1960s.
By Raymor, Bitossi, Aldo Londi, Guido Gambone
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful incised Mid-Century ceramic sculpture of an owl with amazing silver glaze. Designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy, 1960s. Great original condition. No chips, cracks o...
Ceramic, Earthenware
1950s Aldo Londi for Bitossi Raymor Tall Ceramic Vase, Signed
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi, Raymor
Located in New York, NY
Tall ceramic vase designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi and imported by Raymor. The elongated form is decorated with an abstract patchwork of geometric color blocks in orange, black, cr...
Ceramic
Aldo Londi Bitossi Raymor Italian Yellow 17" Ceramic Covered Jar c. 1960
By Aldo Londi, Raymor, Bitossi
Located in Minneapolis, MN
This is a striking monumental Italian ceramic covered jar by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, imported to the United States by Raymor during the 1960s. Executed in a vivid citron-yellow crack...
Ceramic
Aldo Londi Bitossi Kwan Yin, Ceramic, Blue Buddha Bust
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Aldo Londi Bitossi Kwan Yin, Ceramic, Buddha Bust, Blue. Beautiful and calming female Buddha glazed in a vibrant dark blue. It is believed that to have a picture or statue of Kwan Yi...
Ceramic
Seta Art Pottery Vase by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Raymor
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Italian, Mid-Century Modern, Seta Series, incised texture, black and brown, matt glaze, art pottery vase by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Raymor with a 2 inch opening.
Ceramic
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 13 in W 8 in D 13 in
Vintage Ceramiche / Pottery Lion Sculpture by Aldo Londo for Bitossi Raymor
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi, Raymor
Located in San Diego, CA
A wonderful vintage ceramiche / pottery lion sculpture by Aldo Londi for Bitossi Raymor, circa 1960s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with a brown rustic terra cota like ...
Ceramic
Vintage Mid Century Bitossi Horse Sculpture by Aldo Londi, Italy
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Delray Beach, FL
A striking large-scale ceramic horse by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, executed in a beautifully textured white lava glaze. This sculptural form captures Londi’s iconic balance of whimsy an...
Ceramic
Bitossi Ceramic Platinum Bird on Lucite Stand by Aldo Londi #2
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in San Diego, CA
Depicted in its most essential form, this refined ceramic bird will be a stunning display on a mantlepiece, console, or bookshelf in a modern interior. The eye-catching silver finish...
Metal