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
$2,659Sale Price|20% 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
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
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
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.
Fish Graal Vase by Edward Hald for Orrefors, Sweden
By Edward Hald, Orrefors
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Fish Graal vase by Edward Hald for Orrefors, Sweden A large and heavy vase of the Graal series designed by Edvward Hald for Orrefors Sweden in 1938. Clear ...
Art Glass
$475
H 6 in W 6 in D 4 in
Swedish Mid-Century Modern Translucent Glass Vase by Göran Wärff for Kosta Boda
By Göran Wärff, Kosta Boda
Located in New York, NY
This stunning sculptural vase base was realized by Göran Wärff for Kosta Boda in Sweden circa 1960. It features an ovoid body with an assymetrical cavern in the center- imbuing the p...
Glass
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
$617Sale Price|20% 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
$64,850 / set
H 17.5 in Dm 9.25 in
Pair of Baccarat Acid-Cameo Double-Overlay Blue-Cased White Opaline Glass Vases
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
A fabulous & rare pair of baccarat acid-cameo double overlay blue-cased white opaline glass vases circa 1860-1870. Each vase decorated on the front and ...
Glass
$1,066Sale Price|40% Off
H 5.71 in Dm 4.93 in
Blue & Green Patch Vase Signed by Wiktor Berndt for Flygsfors Glass Sweden, 1958
By Wiktor Berndt, Flygsfors
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Stunning vintage Scandinavian mid-century clear glass vase with cobalt blue and emerald green 'patches' or inclusions made by Wiktor Berndt for Flygsfors Glass, Sweden, in 1958. A really stunning piece, reminiscent of the 'A Macchie' series of works by Fulvio Bianconi for Venini glass...
Blown Glass
$569Sale Price|20% Off
H 8.27 in Dm 4.22 in
Vintage Green, White and Light Blue Murano Glass Vase by Dino Martens
By Dino Martens
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1950s. This wonderful vas is made with three-colored Murano hand-blown glass canes. A drawing of this model can be found in the book on Dino Martens. It is a vintage ...
Murano Glass
Jacob Bang White Glass Bottle for Kastrup Denmark with Teak Stopper Raymor
By Jacob Bang, Raymor
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