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.
Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Jug by Raymor, Glazed, Italy, Circa 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
Majolica Glazed Ceramic Oranges Pitcher / Jug, Spain, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching realistic Majolica oranges jug / pitcher in orange and green glazed ceramic, Spain, 1950s-1960s. Hand-painted Manises ceramic decorative jug in the shape of a bunch of ...
Ceramic, Majolica
$3,509Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.63 in W 5.91 in D 4.53 in
Mid-Century French Ceramic Vase by Jacques Blin 'circa 1950s'
By Jacques Blin
Located in London, GB
Vintage French ceramic decorative pitcher / decanter / vase (circa 1950s) by Jacques Blin. The vase is in a subtle hue covered in Blin's trademark misty glaze. It is decorated with a...
Ceramic
Majolica Glazed Ceramic Lemons Pitcher / Jug, Spain 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching realistic Majolica lemons jug / pitcher in multicolor glazed ceramic, Spain, 1950s-1960s. Hand-painted Manises ceramic decorative jug in the sh...
Ceramic, Majolica
$1,209Sale Price|20% Off
H 12.6 in W 8.67 in D 6.3 in
Rooster Pitcher in Brown Glazed Ceramic, Mid-Century Modern, Spain 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching brown and beige ceramic rooster jug / pitcher, Spain, 1950s-1960s. Ceramic decorative rooster shaped jug in brown color with fat lava decorati...
Ceramic, Majolica, Earthenware
Glazed Ceramic Gurgle Fish Jug Pitcher by Vallauris, 1950s
By Vallauris
Located in Barcelona, ES
Oversized Mid-Century Modernist glazed ceramic gurgling fish water jug / pitcher. Manufactured by Vallauris, France, 1950s Eye-catching hand painted brown, orange and blue-green large Majolica ceramic vase, fish glug jug...
Majolica, Ceramic
$1,459
H 9.65 in W 8.86 in D 4.14 in
Oversized Glazed Ceramic Gurgle Fish Jug Vase Tall Pitcher, France 1950
By Vallauris
Located in Barcelona, ES
Oversized Mid-Century Modernist glazed ceramic gurgling fish water jug / pitcher. France, 1950s-1960s Manufactured by Vallauris Ceramics. Eye-catching large green Majolica ceramic va...
Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery
$1,623
H 7.49 in W 13.39 in D 6.7 in
Portuguese Oversized Glazed Ceramic Gurgle Fish Jug Pitcher, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Oversized Mid-Century Modernist glazed ceramic gurgling fish water jug / pitcher. Portugal, 1940s-1950s Eye-catching hand painted XXL size fish glug jug ...
Majolica, Ceramic
Antique Glazed Ceramic Jug
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This authentic antique stoneware jug exemplifies the enduring beauty of early utilitarian ceramics, where form and function are seamlessly united. Featuring a pleasingly rounded body...
Stoneware
Mid-Century Modern Eugene Deutch Glazed Ceramic Pitcher
By Eugene Deutch
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This glazed ceramic pitcher was made by noted Hungarian-born studio potter Eugene Deutch (1904-1959). Deutch studied under modernist sculptor Constantin Brancusi in Paris before emig...
Ceramic
$1,623
H 12.21 in W 8.67 in D 5.71 in
Majolica Glazed Ceramic Vegetables Basket Pitcher / Jug, Spain, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching realistic Majolica vegetables jug / pitcher in multicolor glazed ceramic, Spain, 1950s-1960s. Rare find. Hand-painted Manises ceramic decorative jug in the shape of a basket of vegetables A cool accent to any kitchen or to be used as serving pitcher or for decorative purposes. Lovely as a part of a ceramics collection displayed in a cabinet. Great as gift idea! Rare find. Very good condition The lemons ceramic pitcher and the oranges ceramic pitcher...
Ceramic, Majolica
$670 / set
H 5.91 in W 5.91 in D 7.09 in
Pol Chambost Blue Glaze Ceramic Pitchers, Mid-Century Modern, France
By Pol Chambost
Located in Brooklyn, NY
beautiful set of blue ceramics by Pol Chambost from the 1950's original condition
Ceramic
Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Pitcher, Picasso Style, France, 1950
By Pablo Picasso
Located in London, England
Discover this beautiful ceramic stoneware pitcher, inspired by Picasso's artistic style of the 1950s. This pitcher, with its abstract patterns and soft colors of beige, brown and blu...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Sold
H 13 in W 11 in D 12 in
Ben Seibel Raymor Roseville Terra Cotta Tilting Coffee Pot, Pitcher, & Mugs
By Ben Seibel, Raymor
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A Ben Seibel Raymor Roseville terra cotta tilting coffee pot stand, pitcher, & pair of mugs. A wonderful set of terra cotta pottery from designer Ben Seibel for Roseville's Raymor co...
Terracotta
Fratelli Fanciullacci for Bitossi Italian Ceramic Vase, a Trio
By Raymor, Fratelli Fanciullacci, Bitossi
Located in Atlanta, GA
Beautiful 1950s Mid-Century Modern handcrafted and hand-decorated set of three vases by Fratelli Fanciullacci for Bitossi and imported by Raymor. Italian art ceramic two vases and on...
Ceramic, Pottery