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
Roger Capron - Panel with 5 Glazed Ceramic Tiles - Bird
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Playful and whimsical, Capron’s art panels are the most sought after, as editions were small, and in some cases not more than a few, or by special commission. Some are rough and mat...
Ceramic
$96,147 / set
H 78.75 in W 78.75 in D 1.97 in
Navette Motif Ceramic Panels, Blue Glazed, Roger Capron, 1960s
By Roger Capron
Located in St Ouen, FR
A set of two large ceramic panels featuring the iconic "Navette" motif, created by the artist in the late 1950s. The chromatic range is exceptionally luminous and rare in this arra...
Ceramic
$771 / set
H 4.73 in W 4.73 in D 1.38 in
Pair of Danish Ceramic Wall Art Plaques, Glazed, 1970s, Modern
By Kähler, Conny Walther, 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
$950
H 6 in W 16.3 in D 0.5 in
Roger Capron - Panel with 5 Glazed Ceramic Tiles - Bird on Wood Support
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Playful and whimsical, Capron’s art panels are the most sought after, as editions were small, and in some cases not more than a few, or by special commission. Some are rough and mat...
Ceramic
$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
$1,234Sale 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
Roger Capron Decorative Ceramic Plaque
By Roger Capron
Located in Grenoble, FR
Roger Capron decorative ceramic plaque.
Ceramic, Wood
$494
H 11.03 in W 10.24 in D 0.79 in
Mid-Century French Ceramic Wall Plaque or Decorative Plate, 1960s
By Le Cyclope
Located in London, GB
Highly decorative mid-century pottery wall plaque or plate by le Cyclope art pottery, in the style of Jean Lurcat. The Cyclopes pottery is best know...
Ceramic
$710Sale Price|25% Off
H 2.17 in W 15.16 in D 7.6 in
Danish Michael Andersen Large Bowl Wall Decor with Face Motif Persia Glaze 1960s
By Gerd Hiort Petersen, Marianne Starck, Michael Andersen & Son
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Very rare and large ceramic bowl or wall decor from the famous Danish ceramic workshop Michael Andersen & Søn (MA&S) on the island of Bornholm. Made circa 1950s or 1960s. The Hand Painted decor resembles the style of Marianne Starck but is most likely not by her as the piece doesn't show her signature. We suppose it's by Gerd Hiort Petersen...
Ceramic
Pair of 19th Century Hand-Painted Ceramic Plaques Seascapes 2-DM Birds
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This huge pair of "Barbotine" ceramic plaques have all the bells and whistles. Completely hand-painted with inviting seascapes, each one is surrounded with paste flowers and realisti...
Ceramic, Porcelain
$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
Lovebirds in Blossom: A Famille Rose Porcelain Plaque This beautiful Chinese Porcelain Plaque, dating to the 20th Century, captures a classic and auspicious natural scene in a horiz...
Porcelain
$2,730
H 37.41 in W 13.78 in D 7.88 in
1970s Pair of Ceramic Wall Sconces with Hand Painted Glazed Fruits
Located in Marbella, ES
Exquisite pair of decorative wall sconces, crafted in white ceramic with openwork design and topped with a colourful arrangement of glazed fruits. These pieces stand out for their cl...
Ceramic