Raymor Obelisks
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-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Raymor Obelisks
Travertine
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raymor Obelisks
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Raymor Obelisks
Travertine, Marble
1920s Italian Vintage Raymor Obelisks
Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Raymor Obelisks
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Italian Raymor Obelisks
Alabaster
20th Century Belgian Raymor Obelisks
Marble
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raymor Obelisks
Stone, Marble
Mid-20th Century Modern Raymor Obelisks
Marble
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Raymor Obelisks
Acrylic
1970s Modern Vintage Raymor Obelisks
Marble, Stone
20th Century Raymor Obelisks
Glass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raymor Obelisks
Lucite
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raymor Obelisks
Ceramic
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raymor Obelisks
Brass, Enamel
