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.
Pair of 1960 Glazed Ceramic Plaques with Bird Motif
By Raymor
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1960 Glazed Ceramic Plaques with Bird Motif (sold as a set) This pair of generously sized and textural plaques display a Bird, Duck, or type of water foul; and would be a perfect add...
Ceramic
French Floral & Bird Motif Carved Wall Plaque, 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French carved wood wall plaque, in flowers and bird motif, from the 19th century. This antique wall decoration from France features a rectangular-shaped molded frame, with inner su...
Wood
$765 / set
H 4.73 in W 4.73 in D 1.38 in
Pair of Danish Ceramic Wall Art Plaques, Glazed, 1970s, Modern
By Conny Walther, Kähler, Axella Stentøj
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Pair of rustic Danish organic modern decorative earthcolored ceramic art wall plaques on square black mounts. Two different circular art pieces with shiny dark brown, gray and black ...
Ceramic, Stoneware, Wood
$647 / set
H 42 in W 42 in D 1 in
Mid-century Pair of Peacock Decorative Wall Hanging Plaques, 1960s, Germany
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Mid-century Pair of Peacock Decorative Wall Hanging Plaques, 1960s, Germany Measurements : 42 cm x 42 cm Please do not hesitate to ask us for your any type of questions
Brass
$575
H 8.5 in W 7 in D 0.25 in
Late 19th Century Dunmore Pottery Victorian Green Glazed Ceramic Wall Plaque
Located in Middleburg, VA
Late 19th Century Dunmore Pottery Victorian Green Glazed Ceramic Wall Plaque. This plaque was produced by Dunmore Pottery located on the estate of the Earl of Dunmore in Stilingshire, Scotland and depicts woman and cherub...
Ceramic, Paint
Roger Capron Decorative Ceramic Plaque
By Roger Capron
Located in Grenoble, FR
Roger Capron decorative ceramic plaque.
Ceramic, Wood
1960s BJORN WIINBLAD Ceramic Wall Plaque "MIRAKEL" Denmark - DECEMBER
By Bjorn Wiinblad
Located in Monrovia, CA
DECEMBER "Mirakel" Represents The Birth Of A Child, Marking The Joyful Conclusion Of A Year Long Romantic Story. "MIRAKEL" Is Danish And French For "MIRACLE" It Is The Title Of A Fam...
Ceramic
$3,767
H 31.89 in W 13 in D 0.4 in
Amour, Délice, Orgue by Roger Capron, Glazed Ceramic Wall Plaque, Vallauris
By Roger Capron
Located in Uccle, BE
Glazed ceramic wall plaque with mat and shiny decoration in black, white, gray, blue and ox blood. 3 words are inscribed “Amour, Délice et Orgue” (Love, Delight and Organ). The 3 w...
Ceramic
Modernist Ceramic Plaque with Cubist Decor, 1970s
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This wall art consists of a large ceramic plaque set within a simple, flat-profile solid wood frame. The artwork features a bas-relief treatment highlighted by lines deeply incised i...
Ceramic, Wood
$3,500
H 11.5 in W 17 in D 0.75 in
Chinese Porcelain Framed Famille Rose Plaque of Birds with Prunus and Cherry
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Plaque, Pair of Birds on Blossoming Plum, Framed 20th Century China, probably Jingdezhen. This rectangular porcelain plaque is painted in famille ro...
Porcelain
$2,200
H 19.49 in W 12.8 in D 4.34 in
1920s French Art Deco Ceramic Wall Plaque, Crackle Glaze, Signed
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
This striking French Art Deco ceramic wall plaque, dating from the 1920s, is a refined example of the decorative ceramics produced in France during the interwar period. Its sculptura...
Ceramic
$240
H 7.09 in W 5.91 in D 1.19 in
Meissen. Relief plaque in white biscuit porcelain with motif of trees. 1970s
Located in København, Copenhagen
Meissen Biscuit plaque, c. 1970s. Relief plaque in white biscuit porcelain with a stylised nature motif depicting trees, mounted in a rectangular wooden frame with an oval opening. T...
Porcelain, Wood
$1,224Sale Price|20% Off
H 14.57 in W 8.86 in D 0.67 in
Handcrafted Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Wall Plaque, Horse Motif, 1960s
By Ruscha
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Handmade midcentury modern rectangular ceramic wall plaque with expressive white horse motif. Matte and shiny glaze in blue, white, yellow and light gray colors. Metal mount for wall...
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware