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.
Taverneau Serving Tray by Arthur Umanoff for Raymor
By Raymor, Arthur Umanoff
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A hand carved and finished serving tray made of Taverneau, an uncommon Haitian wood with a rattan wrapped handle. Designed and by Arthur Umanoff, produced...
Rattan, Wood
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
$325
H 0.92 in W 18.75 in D 3.4 in
Mid-Century Modern Korina Wood Divided Serving Tray by Arthur Umanoff
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage hand carved rectangular wood tray features Modernist shape and graphic wood grain patterns with the natural tonal range. The handle is wrapped with reed or cane. Minimal shap...
Reed, Wood
$325
H 0.75 in W 13 in D 11.75 in
Mid-Century Modern Taverneau Serving Tray by Arthur Umanoff for Raymor
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage serving platter tray designed by Arthur Umanoff for Raymor, circa 1960's. This solid piece is made out of Taverneau wood and features ...
Reed, Wood
Danish Vintage Teak Serving Trays 1960s Set of 4
By Wiggers, Silva
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish vintage teak serving trays 1960s set of 4. Danish Mid-Century Modern teak trays. This set consists of: A large oval tray by Silva, ...
Glass, Teak
New Modern Serving Tray in Marble Creator Matteo Cibic
By Matteo Cibic
Located in Milan, IT
Serving tray in black Marquinia, red Levanto and white Michelangelo marble. Size: 40 x 19 x 4 cm, 15.7 x 7.5 x 1.6 in, smooth finishing. Commercial name: Romeo, Homage Collection by...
Marble
Vintage Taverneau by Arthur Umanoff Serving Tray 1960s
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Offered is a 1960s Taverneau wood oblong tray platter designed by Arthur Umanoff for Raymor via his studio, Pantalcraft, made in Haiti. From his biography "All of Umanoff’s designs ...
Rattan, Wood
$1,119
H 1.58 in W 17.33 in D 10.63 in
Original French Modernist Metal Tray "Rigituelle" by Mathieu Matégot, 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Metal tray. Designed and produced by Mathieu Matégot. Origin: France, 1950s. Original Mathieu Matégot tray "RIGITUELLE". made in the 1950s in...
Metal
$347
H 2.56 in W 18.12 in D 9.85 in
Vintage Danish Teak Tray with Glass Bowls by Jens Harald Quistgaard, 1960s
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish teak tray with glass bowls by Jens Harald Quistgaard for IHQ Dansk Designs, 1960s. Serving tray in solid teak with six green glass dishes...
Glass, Teak
$667 / item
H 1.58 in W 11.82 in D 16.03 in
New Modern Serving Tray in Nero and White Marble, creator Matteo Cibic
By Matteo Cibic
Located in Milan, IT
Serving tray in black Marquinia and White Michelangelo Marble. Size: 40.7 x 30 x 3 cm, smooth finishing. Commercial name: Danese, Homage Collection by the Italian designer Matteo C...
Marble
$225
H 0.88 in W 13.25 in D 10.38 in
Vintage Taverneau and Rattan Deviled Egg Tray by Arthur Umanoff for Pantalcraft
By Raymor, Arthur Umanoff
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern deviled egg tray (model #531) in taverneau wood with rattan-wrapped handles designed by Arthur Umanoff for Pantalcraft as part of a line of wooden serveware that w...
Rattan, Wood
$425
H 1 in W 21.25 in D 6 in
MCM Taverneau Wood & Wicker Handled Oblong Serving Tray by Arthur Umanoff
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool MCM taverneau wood and wicker handle oblong tray by Arthur Umanoff, circa 1960s. The tray is in good vintage condition and measures 21.25"W x 6"D x 1"H. The piece is m...
Wicker, Wood
Taverneau Wood Tray by Arthur Umanoff for Pantalcraft, circa 1960
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Taverneau Wood Serving Tray with Wicker Handle, Oblong Shape by Arthur Umanoff for Pantalcraft Haiti, circa 1960 "in good vintage condition" "oiled with food grade mineral oil" ...
Hardwood
Irving Richards Flatware
By Raymor
Located in Chicago, IL
"Inga" flatware, sevice for ten. Designed by Irving Richards of Richards Morgenthau, a.k.a. Raymor. Made by Radvaad, Denmark. 10 X 4 pc. place setti...
Stainless Steel