While industrial designer Russell Wright may be known to modern furniture enthusiasts for his streamlined end tables, dining chairs and other pieces, he is universally revered for a line of tableware he created called American Modern. Efficient, practical, and striking in their elegant forms and warm colors, the American Modern ceramic pieces, which included bowls, pitchers, dishes, and other items, became the best-selling dinnerware of all time. Today, vintage Russell Wright American Modern tableware is an evergreen favorite of art collectors and interior designers alike.
Born in 1904 in Ohio, Wright was surrounded by inspiration for the furniture he would one day design. He was raised in a Quaker household and grew up with the spare, meticulously handcrafted furniture for which the Quakers are known. As a young man, he studied art and sculpture at the Art Academy of Cincinnati and the Art Students League of New York, going on to study law at Princeton University in New Jersey. But Wright loved the arts and abandoned his pursuit of a law degree to create stage sets in Princeton and Paris alongside fellow noted designer Norman Bel Geddes.
In 1927, Wright married artist and sculptor Mary Einstein. Together, they moved to New York City, where Wright began to create sculptures. Mary convinced him to create metal bookends from his sculptures, and later, when he began to craft bar accessories from chrome, he turned to aluminum, a much cheaper material for the purposes of mass production (his barware was eventually included in the "Machine Art" show at the Museum of Modern Art in 1934, which was curated by Philip Johnson).
Mary worked on marketing Russell's products, successfully proposing everyday uses for Wright's beautifully designed housewares. She is said to have been a pioneer in the world of lifestyle marketing, coining the terms "American Modern" and "blonde" to describe the charming, light-colored maple furniture he created for Conant Ball, which was known at the time for its reproductions of American Colonial furniture.
While Wright had created some Art Deco furnishings for Heywood-Wakefield, it was this group of bedroom furniture for Conant Ball that got its name, American Modern, from Mary. Under her guidance, Wright's attractive, functional designs for the home gained renown, leading to commissions by prestigious companies like the Steubenville Pottery Company.
In 1935, Wright formed Russell Wright Associates with Irving Richards, an entrepreneur who had worked with Lightolier and would later establish Raymor. In collaboration with Richards, Wright debuted the first line of American Modern dinnerware in 1939, which was initially produced by Russell Wright Associates and then manufactured by Steubenville for two decades. The line sold over 200 million pieces during its 20 years of production. In 1955, Wright was selected by the U.S. State Department to research handicraft industries in Southeast Asia, a trip that influenced his later designs.
Throughout his life, Wright continued to design furniture and housewares, with the works' signature earth tones, curved forms, and clean silhouettes of his floor lamps, lounge chairs, and serveware remaining popular staples in American households. In his later years, he focused on designing and building his home, Manitoga, and working with the National Parks Service to develop the "Summer in the Parks" program.
Upon Wright's death in 1974, Manitoga was given to the Nature Conservancy. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2006 and today houses the Russell & Mary Wright Design Gallery, where many of Wright's works stand on permanent display. In 2011, stamps from the U.S. Postal Service featured Wright's image as one of the United States' twelve most influential industrial designers.
Find vintage Russel Wright lighting, seating, tables, serveware, ceramics and glass on 1stDibs.
Two Russel Wright Bauer Corsage Vases
By Russel Wright
Located in San Mateo, CA
Two corsage vases designed by Russel Wright for Bauer. This short lived line was only produced 1945 - 46. These are in jonquil yellow and gun metal. The gun metal vase has some small...
Ceramic
Exceptional Set of 8 Oak Loungers by Russel Wright for Old Hickory, circa 1940
By Old Hickory Furniture Company, Russel Wright
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent seating set is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and installation ready. This set o...
Oak
Exquisite Pair of Vintage Aluminum and Crystal Art Deco Lamps by Russel Wright
By Russel Wright
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning pair of elegant Machine Age lamps by the esteemed Industrial Designer Russel Wright, circa 1935. Gorgeous accents in spun aluminum and crystal. Newly professionally resto...
Crystal, Aluminum
$260Sale Price|20% Off
American Modern Ceramic Handled Casserole White by Russel Wright Stubenville
By Russel Wright
Located in San Diego, CA
Stylish and functional American modern White handled casserole by Russel Wright for Steubenville pottery of Ohio, circa the 1940s. The ultramodern design emphasizes soft cures and si...
Ceramic
$3,300Sale Price / set|40% Off
MCM Blond Maple Vanity/ Dressing Table w/ Bench by Russel Wright for Con
By Russel Wright, Conant Ball
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Mid-century blonde maple vanity with matching stool designed by Russel Wright for Conant Ball part of the "American Modernist " Furniture line. Often sold in Macy’s Department Store showrooms in New York in the 1940s. This early Modernist piece features two side cabinets and a central vanity drawer...
Maple
American Modern Sugar Creamer & Cup by Russel Wright For Stubenville
By Steubenville, Russel Wright
Located in San Diego, CA
Stylish and functional American modern Sugar creamer and cup by Russel Wright for Steubenville pottery of Ohio, circa the 1940s. The ultramodern design emphasizes soft curves and sim...
Ceramic
Russel Wright Figural Female Nude Mid-Century Table Lamp Circa 1950s
By Russel Wright
Located in Southampton, NJ
An elegant design in this sculptural lamp depicting a turning nude female form designed by Russel Wright. Ceramic with turned wood base and brass hardware. In excellent vintage condi...
Brass
American Modern Handled Casserole in Ripe Apricot by Russel Wright Stubenville
By Russel Wright, Steubenville
Located in San Diego, CA
Stylish and functional American modern handled casserole in "Ripe Apricot" by Russel Wright for Steubenville pottery of Ohio, circa the 1940s. The ultramodern design emphasizes soft ...
Ceramic
American Modern Gravy Boat in Sea Foam Green by Russel Wright Stubenville
By Russel Wright, Steubenville
Located in San Diego, CA
Stylish and functional American modern Gravy boat and underplate in "Sea Foam Green" by Russel Wright for Steubenville pottery of Ohio, circa the 1940s. The ultramodern design emphas...
Ceramic
Russel Wright Conant Ball Pair Mid Century Modern Blond Birch Night Stands MINT!
By Conant Ball, Russel Wright
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Russel Wright Conant Ball Pair Mid Century Modern Blond Birch Night Stands MINT!
Maple, Birch
Russel Wright Conant Ball Mid-Century Modern Solid Birch High Chest Dresser Mint
By Russel Wright, Conant Ball
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Russel Wright Conant ball Mid-Century Modern solid blonde birch high chest dresser mint!
Maple, Birch
Russel Wright Easy Chair for Conant Ball's, American Modern, 1935
By Russel Wright, Conant Ball
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare Art Deco easy chair designed by Russel Wright for Conant Ball American modern in 1935 ,solid maple contraction with original cushions retains original finish ,patina..,, signed ...
Upholstery, Maple
Russel Wright Corn Set for Chase Brass, Art Deco Glass & Chrome, 1934
By Russel Wright, Chase Brass and Copper Company
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Russel Wright for Chase 4 piece Corn Set. Elegant Design with blue glass tray bottom and a small serving pitcher for butter. Salt and pepper shakers complete the set. Perfect to u...
Chrome
Pair of Salt & Pepper Shakers Designed by Russel Wright for Chase Art Deco
By Russel Wright, Chase and Co.
Located in San Diego, CA
Fantastic pair of polished chome art Deco shakers designed by Russel Wright for Chase with screwoff on bottoms simple elegant and a rare set to find.
Chrome
Mary Wright Klise Cheese Tray
By Mary Wright, Russel Wright
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Mary Wright frosted oak Klise cheese tray. Contains the frosted oak label and signed. Part of a wood line designed by husband and wife Industrial designers...
Wood
Russel Wright Lamp
By Russel Wright
Located in New York, NY
Table lamp designed by Russel Wright, bamboo body wrapped by copper wire, on brass base. This example shows cosmetic wear to finish, normal and consistent with age, working, original...
Brass, Copper
$220Sale Price|20% Off
American Modern Ceramic Celery Tray by Russel Wright for Steubenville Pottery
By Russel Wright, Steubenville
Located in San Diego, CA
Stylish and functional American modern celery tray by Russel Wright for Steubenville Pottery of Ohio, circa 1940s. The ultramodern design emphasizes soft c...
Earthenware
$850Sale Price|50% Off
Russel Wright "Oceana" Serving Bowl
By Klise Manufacturing Company, Russel Wright
Located in Hanover, MA
Russel Wright "Oceana" sculptural serving bowl circa 1938 produced by Klise Woodworking Company, Grand Rapids, MI. Hazelwood in the form of deep-sea fauna. This particular one had a...
Maple
Set 4 Bauer vases / vessels by Russel Wright 1940's / Modernist
By Russel Wright
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning collection of Four Russel Wright Bauer vessels. This set includes , seldom seen (large) canoe and 3 jug vase's.Amazing colors and glazes....
Ceramic, Pottery
American Art Deco Set of 3 Candle Holders by Russel Wright for Chase
By Russel Wright, Chase and Co.
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and rare set of 3 art Deco candle holders designed by Russel Wright , for Chase circa 1940s in copper and bakelite one with a brass top .
Bakelite
$1,900 / set
Mary Wright Salad Set
By Russel Wright, Mary Wright
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Mary Wright salad bowl set. Part of a wood line designed by husband and wife Industrial designers Russel Wright / Mary Wright. Large bowl measures 11.25" deep, 11.25" wide and 3.25" ...
Wood
$156Sale Price|20% Off
American Modern Ceramic Handled Casserole Chartreuse Russel Wright Stubenville
By Russel Wright
Located in San Diego, CA
Stylish and functional American modern in chartreuse color handled casserole by Russel Wright for Steubenville pottery of Ohio, circa the 1940s. The ultramodern design emphasizes sof...
Ceramic
Exceptional Pair of Cerused Oak Loungers by Russel Wright, circa 1940
By Russel Wright, Old Hickory Furniture Company
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent pair of chairs is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and installation ready. Expert ...
Oak
Russel Wright Style Raffia Wrapped White Floor Lamp with Glass Shade, 1950s
By Russel Wright
Located in Bainbridge, NY
American Modern Russel Wright White and Raffia wrapped Floor Lamp. Featuring a tubular white enameled metal column and round white enameled metal base with raffia details. With (8H) ...
Brass, Metal
Exceptional Set of 4 Cerused Oak Loungers by Russel Wright, circa 1940
By Old Hickory Furniture Company, Russel Wright
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent seating set is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and installation ready. This set o...
Oak
Russel Wright Pivoting Floor Lamp for Fairmont Lamp Company
By Russel Wright
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Russel Wright pivoting floor lamp for Fairmont Lamp Company, circa 1954. Amazingly very original example! Original Fiberglass shade, original paint...
Metal, Brass
Russel Wright for Conant Ball Mid Century Side End Table Nightstand
By Conant Ball, Russel Wright
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Russel Wright for Conant Ball Mid Century Side End Table Nightstand Nightstand measures: 17.75 wide x 15.25 deep x 22.5 high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call rest...
Wood
Russel Wright Solid Maple Art Deco Round Pulls 4 Deep Drawers High Chest Dresser
By Russel Wright, Conant Ball
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern solid maple four drawers high chest dresser.
Maple
$795 / item
Russel Wright American Way Trays
By Russel Wright
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Russel Wright individually sized trays. Some trays have partial American way labels. Part of a wood line designed by husband and wife Industrial designers Russel and Mary Wright. Ann...
$1,400
Mary Wright Serving Bowl
By Russel Wright, Mary Wright
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Serving bowl shaped like a football designed by Mary Wright. Part of a wood line designed by husband and wife Industrial designers Russel Wright / Mary Wright. Measures 15.75" wide, ...
Wood
Lounge Chair & Ottoman by Russel Wright for Old Hickory, 1940
By Old Hickory Furniture Company, Russel Wright
Located in Sagaponack, NY
Reclining lounge chair and matching ottoman of chestnut from Russel Wright’s ‘Rustic Modern’ group, part of his American Provincial collection, Manufactured by Old Hickory Furniture ...
Chestnut
Art Deco Upholstered Scoop Dining Chairs By Russel Wright For Conant Ball
By Russel Wright, Conant Ball
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stunning set of four, mid-century, art decco, upholstered dining chairs designed by the esteemed American designer Russel Wright for Conant Ball, circa 1940 feature a curvilinear, st...
Upholstery, Maple, Chenille
Four American Mid-Century Modern Curvy Dining / Side Chairs by Russel Wright
By Russel Wright, Conant Ball
Located in Manhasset, NY
Four American Mid-Century Modern Curvy Dining / Side Chairs by Russel Wright Russel Wright for Conant-Ball set of 4 curvaceous dining or side chairs. Each chair having four slightly ...
Brass
Libbiloo' Circus Horse Bookends by Russel Wright, 1928
By Russel Wright
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An early pair of nickel-plated, fanciful 'Libbiloo' circus horse bookends by Russel Wright, designed in 1928. Each marked RW.
Metal, Nickel
Oceana Series Bowl by Russel Wright for Klise Wood Works, 1931
By Russel Wright
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A long rare hand-carved wood bowl with an indented rim, from the "Oceana" series.
Maple