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.
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
$1,380 / set
Pair of Raymor Hand Vases
By Raymor
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Raymor Hand Vases, Two left hands. Stamped on underside Raymor Mancer \ dimensions; 8' high 4' diameter
Porcelain
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
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
$1,000Sale Price|39% Off
H 10 in Dm 5.5 in
Bitossi for Raymor Vase, Ceramic, Gold, Matte Brown, Signed
By Raymor, Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Bitossi for Raymor vase, ceramic, gold and matte brown, signed. Medium scale bottle form vase with a flattened lip and glazed in a two-tone mat...
Ceramic
Alvino Bagni Bowl or Vase for Raymor
By Raymor, Alvino Bagni
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Designer: Alvino Bagni. Importer: Raymor. Period or model: Mid-Century Modern. Specs: Pottery Condition: This Alvino Bagni 4303 bowl or vase Imported by Raymor is in ex...
Pottery
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
1950s Aldo Londi for Bitossi Raymor Ceramic Vase, Signed
By Aldo Londi, Raymor, Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Chunky ovoid ceramic vase designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, from the same patchwork series as the taller example. The vase features a bulbous, organic form with a gently tapering n...
Ceramic
Raymor Green & Gold Ceramic Ginger Jar, Italy, c.1955
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi, Marcello Fantoni, Raymor
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Raymor Green & Gold Ceramic Lidded Ginger Jar, Italy, c.1955.
Ceramic
$748Sale Price|60% Off
H 13.19 in W 8.27 in D 8.27 in
Rare Alvino Bagni Matte Glazed Pottery Vase Raymor Bitossi Gambone
By Alvino Bagni, Raymor
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Highly decorativ floral patterned pottery vase by Alvino Bagni dating to the 1960s.
Ceramic, Pottery
$1,320Sale Price|40% Off
H 5.93 in Dm 5.75 in
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
$787Sale Price|65% Off
H 8.32 in Dm 4.13 in
Bitossi Raymor Vase, Ceramic, Red, Blue, White, Stripes, Signed
By Raymor, Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Bitossi Raymor Vase, Ceramic, Red, Blue, White, Stripes, Signed. Small scale cylinder vase with modernist form and decorated with red, blue, and white stripes. Flared lip. The neck m...
Ceramic
$2,316Sale Price|20% Off
H 11.25 in Dm 3.75 in
Bitossi Raymor Cambogia Vase, Ceramic, Stripes, Purple, White, Turquoise, Signed
By Raymor, Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Bitossi Raymor vase, ceramic, stripes, violet purple, white, turquoise, signed. Aldo Londi's medium scale "Cambogia" vase glazed in vibrant bands of turquoise, violet, light and dark...
Ceramic
$950
H 9 in W 10 in D 2.5 in
Marcello Fantoni Signed Pottery Vase with Abstract Design Mid Century Modern
By Marcello Fantoni, Raymor
Located in Atlanta, GA
Unique Pottery Vase, by Marcello Fantoni, Italy, and retailed by Raymor, United States, hand signed underneath, circa 1960s. Beautiful colors with a saffron yellow field with abstrac...
Ceramic, Pottery
$1,500Sale Price|40% Off
H 12.25 in Dm 7.25 in
Alvino Bagni for Raymor, Vase, Ceramic, White, Stripes, Blue, Yellow, Signed
By Raymor, Alvino Bagni
Located in New York, NY
Bagni for Raymor, vase, ceramic, white, stripes, blue, yellow, signed. Tall chunky bisque vase decorated with bands of blue turquoise, burnt orange, yellow and two shades of blue on ...
Ceramic
$320Sale Price|20% Off
H 4.7 in Dm 5 in
Alvino Bagni for Raymor Italy Sea Garden Vase Vessel Ceramic 1960s
By Alvino Bagni, Raymor
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vase or vessel was made by Alvino Bagni for Raymor as a part of his Sea Garden series. Sea Garden series includes vases, ashtrays, lamps, and other decor items done in complex turqu...
Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery
Set of Five Italian Modernist Ceramic Spirits Bottles by Raymor
By Raymor
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Scarcely seen set of five ceramic spirits bottles with original stoppers by Raymor (ca. 1950s, Italy). Each has a hand-painted figure in an individualiz...
Ceramic
Sold
H 8.5 in W 4.25 in D 4.25 in
White Italian Vase Handmade for Raymor with Black and Red Eyes Pattern
By Raymor
Located in Houston, TX
Decorative white vase handmade in Italy for Raymor with a beautiful red and black eye pattern covering the entire piece. This piece could also be used as a fantastic vase or decorati...
Ceramic
Jacob Bang White Glass Bottle for Kastrup Denmark with Teak Stopper Raymor
By Raymor, Jacob Bang
Located in Chicago, IL
This elegant decanter in white cased glass with teak stopper was designed by Jacob Bang. It retains its original paper labels for Kastrup, the maker, and Raymor, the distributor. Pl...
Glass, Teak
Attractive Bottle Vase in Organic Tones by Marcello Fantoni for Raymor
By Marcello Fantoni, Raymor
Located in New York, NY
An attractive decorative bottle-vase in organic tones of green, yellow and brown by Marcello Fantoni for Raymor. This glazed ceramic vase has a lovely earthly yet modern feel. This p...
Ceramic