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.
Shallow Bowl or Ashtray by Fantoni for Raymor, c. 1950
By Raymor, Marcello Fantoni
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Shallow Bowl or Ashtray by Fantoni for Raymor circa 1950 "great color and texture"
Pottery
Italian Ceramic Vase by Raymor
By Raymor
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful ceramic vase by Raymor. Great lave glaze, with black and white coloring. Very good vintage condition.
Ceramic
Mid-Century Modern Drip Glaze Vase by Marcello Fantoni for Raymor
By Marcello Fantoni
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic coloring in the drip glaze, lively vibrant yellows and greens. Vase is terracotta and approx. 11 inches x 6.25 x 6. In excellent original condition. Beautiful addition to a...
Terracotta
Raymor 1950s Black Wire Serving Stand and Bowl
By Raymor
Located in New York, NY
Raymor two-tiered black wire serving stand with handle, with matching circular pedestal bowl. Bowl measures 6 inches height x 14 inches diameter.
Metal
$1,765
H 11.82 in Dm 5.71 in
Midcentury Turquoise Italian Ceramic Vase by Fratelli Fanciullacci, circa 1960
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi, Fratelli Fanciullacci
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Beautifully detailed vase in vibrant turquoise (green / blue) with textured sgraffito shoulder and neck by Fratelli Fanciullacci, Italy, circa 1960s. Wonderful whimsical embossed ani...
Ceramic, Clay
Large French Mid Century Ceramic Bowl or Centerpiece, Signed
By Apt
Located in Miami, FL
Large French Mid Century Ceramic Bowl or Centerpiece, Signed Stunning ceramic or mixed earths piece was made by combining clay slips of light and dark bro...
Earthenware
'Paprika' Ceramic Vases (3) by Anna-Lisa Thomson - Upsala Ekeby, Sweden
By Upsala Ekeby, Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in Utrecht, NL
Impressive and rare set of 3 vintage ceramic 'Paprika' (peppers) vases by Swedish designer Anna-Lisa Thomson (1905-1952). Dark brown ceramic vases, worked with Sgraffito technique ...
Ceramic
$1,100
H 8.51 in W 3.35 in D 2.21 in
Italian Vintage Ceramic Rhimini Blue Vase by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, circa 1960
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Beautiful tall embossed vase in vibrant 'Rhimini' blue and turquoise by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, circa 1968. A great. piece of vintage, mid-century handmade Italian pottery. Shape number 727/21. We have more rare Bitossi...
Ceramic, Clay
$1,320Sale Price|40% Off
H 5.93 in Dm 5.75 in
Raymor Bitossi White Ball Vase, Ceramic, Mid-Century Modern, Italy
By Bitossi, Raymor
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
Blue Bowl by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden, 1950s
By Wilhelm Kage, Gustavsberg
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful stoneware bowl with blue glaze. Made by Wilhelm Kåge at Gustavsberg Studio in Sweden. In production 1958-1962. Great condition, only a few light scratches. Impressed wit...
Ceramic, Stoneware
$240Sale Price|63% Off
H 1.5 in Dm 10 in
Monumental Brutalist Ashtray by Marcello Fantoni for Raymor, 1950s
By Raymor, Marcello Fantoni
Located in View Park, CA
A green glow: monumental vintage Italian brutalist hand-worked metal ashtray by Marcello Fantoni for Raymor, made in Italy circa 1950. Patinated copper in tones of chartreuse, teal, and pewter. Born in Florence in 1915, Marcello Fantoni wed ancient Italian pottery technique with decidedly Modernist elements, garnering tremendous acclaim both at home and abroad - his work has been collected by important museums worldwide. When Fantoni died in Florence in 2011 at the age of 95, his obituary in the Italian newspaper La Nazione hailed him “the master of beauty.” This stunning piece certainly justifies the moniker. With the signature etched on verso, it is without doubt an heirloom rarity for the savvy collector...
Copper
Pol Chambost 1950s French Pottery Bowl
By Pol Chambost
Located in New York, NY
An original 1960s pale pink and black striped glossy glazed bowl by famed French ceramicist, Pol Chambost. Signed. The inner bowl is a mottled pale pink. The top shape is either a he...
Ceramic
Alvino Bagni Raymor Attributed Unusual Mid-Century Italian Art Pottery Vase
By Alvino Bagni
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very unusual and stylish vintage Italian art pottery vase attributed to Alvino Bagni and probably made by Raymor. The waisted rounded bulbou...
Pottery
$225Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.58 in W 5.91 in D 5.91 in
Nils Thorsson Scandinavian Marselis Ceramic Bowl for Royal Copenaghen, 1950s
By Nils Thorsson, Royal Copenhagen
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Scandinavian ceramic “Marselis” ashtray bowl series designed by Danish artist Nils Thorsson for Royal Copenaghen, 1950s. Please note that the litem is original of the period and t...
Ceramic
Rare 3 PC Mid Century Modern RAYMOR BITOSSI chess sculptures by Alvino Bagni
By Alvino Bagni, Raymor
Located in Buffalo, NY
RARE MID CENTURY MODERN WHIMSY Ramor Bitossi SCULPTURE SET Of Biscotti Jars In the form of CHESSMAN. KING, QUEEN, AND ROOK. Designed by Alvino Bagin.... Each has a lid that fits o...
Pottery
Roseville Raymor Collection by Ben Seibel Beige/Creme 28 Pc Dining Set
By Raymor, Ben Seibel
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A Ben Seibel Raymor Roseville beige/cream 28pc set. This wonderful pottery set is deigned by Ben seibel for Roseville's Raymor collection. This particular collection of ceramic pottery is colored with a very understated, but elegant beige/grey color. It is simply beautiful. This set includes four covered cassarole style dishes, a covered coffee/tea pot and creamer pot, a large gravy boat, a celery tray, three small covered bowls...
Pottery
Raymor Lidded Box Organic Botanical Design R1699 Italy
By Raymor
Located in Toledo, OH
Raymor lidded pottery box. Organic floral design on lid. Speckled green field. Stylized flower with stem and leaves. Made in Italy. Original Raymor pape...
Pottery
Aldo Londi Mid-Century Bitossi Rimini Blue Pottery Vase for Raymor
By Aldo Londi, Raymor
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine mid-century Rimini blue pottery vase. By Aldo Londi for Raymor. Made in Londi's renowned Rimini Blue style, the vase has a rich blue glaz...
Pottery
Sold
H 8.25 in Dm 10.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Raymor Bitossi Hand Painted Ceramic Jardinière, Italy, 1950s
By Raymor, Bitossi
Located in Miami, FL
Large Mid-Century Modern pottery vessel attributed to Bitossi Ceramics done for Raymor in 1950s. Raymor was the American company distinguished by importing quality wares from around ...
Pottery
Pair of Raymor Italian Ceramic Pottery Lamps by Alvino Bagni
By Raymor, Alvino Bagni
Located in Buffalo, NY
Pair of Raymor Italian ceramic pottery lamps by Alvino Bagni. Unusual form, beautifully textured, glazed, carved wood detailing.
Ceramic, Wood
Rare Set of 1960s Lidded Apothecary "Dope Jars" by Alvino Bagni for Raymor
By Raymor, Alvino Bagni
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Very scarce set of (6) "Dope Jars" by Alvino Bagni for Raymor. Signed and labeled. Great condition. Measures: 6" tall x 4.5" wide. This size is very scarce, the smaller jars do com...
Ceramic, Pottery
Vintage Orange Striated Ceramic Long Necked Tall Vase by Raymor
By Raymor
Located in New York, NY
A vintage orange ceramic tall-neck vase with striated pattern by Raymor. Italy, circa 1960. Signed. Dimensions: 15 inches tall 7 inches wide.
Ceramic
Unusual Italian Ceramic Vase for Raymor
By Raymor
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An unusual Italian ceramic vase for Raymor. Measures approximate 13" H, 8.5" D.
Large Raymor Italian Ceramic Vase
By Raymor
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Large Raymor ceramic vase from Italy.
Ceramic
Sold
H 10.75 in Dm 7.75 in
Italian Mid-Century Modern Two-Tone Pottery Vase by Alvino Bagni for Raymor
By Raymor, Alvino Bagni
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A cool, tear-drop form Mid-Century Italian pottery vase by Alvino Bagni for Raymor. With a mottled brown tone-in-tone glaze. Bears it's original label to the base. Height: ...
Pottery
Mid-Century Dish with Fish Motif by Raymor, Made in Italy
By Raymor
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Brilliantly finished in deep blue, brilliant red and white glazes with a textured, rough finish not unlike the famous glazes of Guido Gambone, this rare and vivid dish or ashtray was...
Clay