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
$94,178 / 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
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
Roger Capron Decorative Ceramic Plaque
By Roger Capron
Located in Grenoble, FR
Roger Capron decorative ceramic plaque.
Ceramic, Wood
$755 / 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
Pair of Rustic French Resin Wall Plaques, 20th Century, Game Motifs
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Rustic French style resin (faux terra cotta) bleached round wall plaque medallions with game and trophy motifs and a bow-knot top (PRICED AS ...
Resin
$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
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
$2,674
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
Mid-Century Swedish Ceramic Deer Motif Wall Plaque Tile by Eivor Lang, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Swedish Ceramic Deer Motif Wall Plaque Tile by Eivor Lang for Tilgmans Keramik, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. ...
Ceramic
Vintage German Ceramic Wall Plate with Bird Motif, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage German Ceramic Wall Plate with Bird Motif from Keramik Manufaktur Kupfermühle, 1970s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 official proof of authenticity such as vi...
Ceramic
$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
$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