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.
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...
$1,075
H 11 in W 4.25 in D 3 in
Vicke Lindstrand "Colora" Series for Kosta Blue Bud Glass Vase. Sweden, 1950s
By Vicke Lindstrand, Kosta Boda
Located in Kansas City, MO
Swedish Mid-Century Modern Blue Bud Art glass vase by Swedish glass artist Vicke Lindstrand for Kosta Boda circa 1950. From the "Colora" series. No chips cracks or repairs. Marked...
Art Glass
$1,980Sale Price|44% Off
H 14 in Dm 4.38 in
Bitossi for Raymor Cambogia Vase, Ceramic, Blue, Purple, White, Stripes, Signed
By Aldo Londi, Raymor, Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Bitossi for Raymor Cambogia (Cambodia) vase, ceramic, blue, purple, white, stripes, signed. Tall cylinder vase with banded stripes glazed in violet,...
Ceramic
$2,478Sale Price|30% Off
H 5.32 in Dm 4.73 in
Vintage Green Cased Alga Glass Vase with Gold Leaf by Tomaso Buzzi for Venini
By Venini, Tomaso Buzzi
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, Murano, 1930s. Between 1932 and 1933 the Milanese architect Tomaso Buzzi, a spirited protagonist of the Milan “neoclassicist” movement, a friend and associate of Gio Ponti, and a partner of Il Labirinto, established a fruitful collaboration with the Venini glassware company, which would continue, albeit episodically, in later years. The architect’s creative contribution was evident both in the glass forms and in their innovative manufacturing technique. When Buzzi arrived at the Venini company in Murano, in 1932, he brought with him a remarkable cultural baggage and a thorough knowledge of ancient art, particularly the Etruscan period...
Gold Leaf
$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
Pair of Murano Cased Glass Yellow Vases
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of Murano cased glass yellow vases with a diamond pattern. Vases measure about 20" high and 6.75" in diameter.
Murano Glass
Murano Blue White and Green Glass Vase
Located in New York, NY
Murano blue white and green glass vase. Vintage square based vase with flared neck. Italy, circa 1960s. Dimensions: 5.75” square base x 9.25” height.
Blown Glass
Black Murano Cased Glass Vase With White Polka Dots
Located in Chicago, IL
Black Murano cased glass vase with a white glass rolled lip and white controlled bubble pattern.
$1,652Sale Price|20% Off
H 14.97 in W 7.49 in D 6.7 in
Blue White and Clear Murano Glass Sommerso Vase, Italy 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Sky Blue and Royal Blue Murano Glass Sommerso Tall Vase, Italy, 1950s. A gorgeous Murano glass Sommerso vase in shades of blue and organic design. The interior part is made in white ...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
$2,390Sale Price|32% Off
H 5.32 in Dm 4.73 in
Green Cased Alga Glass Vase with Gold Leaf by Tomaso Buzzi for Venini
By Venini, Tomaso Buzzi
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, Murano, 1930s. Between 1932 and 1933 the Milanese architect Tomaso Buzzi, a spirited protagonist of the Milan “neoclassicist” movement, a friend and associate of Gio Ponti, and a partner of Il Labirinto, established a fruitful collaboration with the Venini glassware company, which would continue, albeit episodically, in later years. The architect’s creative contribution was evident both in the glass forms and in their innovative manufacturing technique. When Buzzi arrived at the Venini company in Murano, in 1932, he brought with him a remarkable cultural baggage and a thorough knowledge of ancient art, particularly the Etruscan period...
Gold Leaf
Vintage Art Glass Vase by Martti Rytkoenen for Orrefors, Sweden
By Orrefors
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Art Glass Vase by Martti Rytkoenen for Orrefors, Sweden A vintage art glass vase designed by Martti Rytkoenen, Finnland for Orrefors ca. 1990s. Colorless glass in houre glas...
Art Glass
$575Sale Price|45% Off
H 9.85 in Dm 6.7 in
Vintage Thick Transparent Glass Vase by Strombergshyttan, Sweden
By Strombergshyttan
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Sweden, 1960s. This vase was designed by Strombergshyttan. It is made in 2.5-thick transparent glass. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but...
Glass
$650Sale Price|63% Off
H 11.25 in Dm 8 in
Fantoni for Raymor Vase, Ceramic, White, Blue, Green, Signed
By Marcello Fantoni, Raymor
Located in New York, NY
Fantoni for Raymor vase, ceramic, blue, green, signed. Medium scale chunky vase decorated with bands of aqua blue and moss green glaze over a chalky white bulbous form body. Signed o...
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
Set of Blue Glass Jars by Raymor
By Raymor
Located in New York, NY
Set of three (3) blue glass jars / vases by Raymor. Signed with paper label on largest piece. Italy, circa 1960. Dimensions: Largest: 7 inches W...
Glass