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.
Set of 2 Carlo Moretti Murano Art Glass Blue & White Encased Vases Raymor Italy
By Carlo Moretti, Raymor
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 2 Carlo Moretti blue & white encased blown Murano glass vases made by Raymor in the 1980 and made in Italy. Each vase is marked underneath wi...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Canary Yellow Fantoni with Green Highlights Vase for Raymor
By Raymor, Fantoni
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
$1,320Sale Price|40% Off
Raymor Bitossi White Ball Vase, Ceramic, Mid-Century Modern, Italy
By Raymor, Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Raymor Bitossi White Ball Vase, Ceramic, Signed. Petite with white glazed body and raw clay brown collar. Measures 2.5 in across the top and 2.75 across the base. Signed on underside...
Ceramic
Swedish White and Blue Cased Glass Vase by Alterfors for Raymor
By Raymor, Alterfors
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...
Bitossi Raymor Vase, Ceramic, Metallic Platinum, Silver, Chrome
By Ettore Sottsass, Raymor, Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Bitossi Raymor vase, ceramic, metallic platinum, silver, chrome. Small scale platinum glazed vase with a rounded body, slightly elongated cylindrical neck, and flat shoulders. Not ma...
Ceramic
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
Bitossi for Raymor Vase, Ceramic, White and Brown, Signed
By Raymor, Bitossi
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
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
Midcentury Marcello Fantoni for Raymor Double Gourd Form Vase
By Marcello Fantoni, Raymor
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This hand decorated midcentury ceramic vase was designed by highly regarded Italian sculptor Marcello Fantoni for American importer Raymor. The 13" tall vase has a flattened double gourd form and features colorful glaze executed in shades of blue, green, purple, blue and black. As seen in the accompanying photographs the glaze has a textural, layered quality with long drips and alligatored areas characteristic of the complexity of Fantoni's work. The underside of the piece is signed Fantoni for Raymor along with its country of origin, Italy. A striking example of fine ceramics well suited as an addition to an existing collection of Fantoni pieces or to a wider assembly of fine midcentury ceramics...
Ceramic
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
1950s Italian Studio Vase Organic Abstract Drawing Mid-Century Bitossi Raymor
By Raymor
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Artist Unknown, wonderful pattern.
Ceramic
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
Vintage Italian Ceramic Vase by Alvino Bagni for Bitossi / Raymor Gunmetal Black
By Raymor, Bitossi
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Italian Ceramic Vase by Alvino Bagni for Bitossi / Raymor. As shown in detail of inside, these are hand thrown vases.
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
Vintage Raymor Pop Art Gazed Ceramic Vase Italy 1970's Off White
By Raymor
Located in North Miami, FL
Tie one on in this whimsical Italian Raymor vintage ceramic vase that is a circular shirt with a tie and collar. It is conversational and Italian pop art. These are hard to come by ...
Ceramic