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.
Alvino Bagni for Raymor Vase
By Raymor, Alvino Bagni
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Stunning vase or vessel by Alvino Bagni for Raymor. Beautiful and bright orange/ red interior compliments a modern white with black design exte...
Ceramic
Raymor Alvino Bagni Vase, Ceramic, Stripes, Blue, Yellow, White, 1970s
By Raymor, Alvino Bagni
Located in New York, NY
Raymor Alvino Bagni Vase, Ceramic, Stripes, Blue, Yellow, White, Signed. Chunky medium scale vase. Upper half of the vase has bands of pastel colors: light sky blue, burnt orange, mo...
Ceramic
Fantoni for Raymor Vase with Graduated Color Drip Glaze Design
By Fantoni, Raymor
Located in Chicago, IL
Fantoni for Raymor Vase with Graduated Color Drip Glaze Design , Singed underside Fantoni Raymor Italy with original Raymor sticker Dimensions: 5.50" high 9.50" dia 4.25" opening
Ceramic
Canary Yellow Fantoni with Green Highlights Vase for Raymor
By Fantoni, Raymor
Located in Chicago, IL
Canary Yellow Fantoni with Green Highlights Vase for Raymor Sinned underside [Fantoni Italy for Raymor] Dimensions: 12" high 8.25" diameter
Ceramic
Vintage Italian Raymor White Glazed Ceramic Lidded Jar in Pink, Black, and Gold
By Raymor, Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Italian Mid-Century Modernist Raymor ceramic lidded jar/urn (ca. 1950s, Italy). Attributed to Aldo Londi/Bitossi, though unconfirmed. Pinprick incisions throughout amid banded motifs...
Ceramic
Aldo Londi Bitossi Raymor Ceramic Vase Orange Stripes Pottery Italy 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Raymor
Located in Munich, DE
Bitossi vase, ceramic, stripes, orange, yellow, white. Medium scale vase, with modernist form, glazed in orange, matte white, chartreuse yellow, mint green, and caramel stripes. A fi...
Ceramic
Italian Ceramic Vase by Raymor
By Raymor
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful ceramic vase by Raymor. Great lave glaze, with black and white coloring. Very good vintage condition.
Ceramic
Swedish White and Blue Cased Glass Vase by Alterfors for Raymor
By Alterfors, Raymor
Located in New York, NY
White cased glass vase with blue design. Made by Alterfors for Raymor. Sweden, circa 1950. Signed with "Raymor" sticker and additional marki...
Mid-Century Modern Handmade Tall Raymor Yellow Red Ceramic Pottery Vase Italy
By Raymor
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern vase made out of ceramic in deep red, yellow and black colors by Raymor, Italy. Marked and dated underneath. A gorgeous vase for your holiday table. A-763-335...
Ceramic, Paint
Aldo Londi Bitossi Raymor Ceramic Vase Pink Stripes Signed Italy 1960s
By Raymor, Aldo Londi
Located in Munich, DE
Aldo Londi Bitossi Raymor ceramic vase stripes pottery signed, Italy, 1960s, stoneware Cambogia vase in vibrant bands of turquoise, violet, pink, light an...
Ceramic
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
Bitossi for Raymor Vase, Ceramic, White and Brown, Signed
By Bitossi, Raymor
Located in New York, NY
Bitossi for Raymor vase, ceramic, white and brown, signed. Tall cylinder vase with white glazed body and coarse matte brown clay collar. Signed...
Ceramic
Decorative Ceramic Bottle, Raymor, Italy c. 1950
By Raymor
Located in St Ouen, FR
Raymor's reputation is so established in the USA that it is superfluous to outline its history which remains closely linked to that of its creator, Irving Richards. As an importer an...
Ceramic
1950s Italian Studio Vase Organic Abstract Drawing Mid-Century Bitossi Raymor
By Raymor
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Artist Unknown, wonderful pattern.
Ceramic