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.
$3,850
H 8 in Dm 4.25 in
Four Pottery Vice Jars / Drug Canisters Imported by Raymor, Italy, 1950s, Rare
By Raymor
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare set of four "Vice Jars" all signed, Raymor. Opium, Morphine, Cocaine and Marijuana. Rarely seen and virtually never seen in this condition. No chips, cra...
Pottery
Set of 8 1930’s Scandinavian painted chemist jars
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Set of 8 1930's Scandinavian painted chemist jars circa 1930. Good quality set of Art Deco period chemistry jars made from paper tube and wood. Hand painted in a white and black co...
Pine, Paint, Paper
Spice Jars by Cloutier Fréres, France, 1960's
By Cloutier Freres
Located in New York, NY
A set of blue glazed ceramic jars with original cork tops, incised with the French words for “Garlic” “Tarragon” “Basil” “Thyme” & “Saffron” from left to right. Signed 4x3
Ceramic, Cork
$3,750 / set
H 6.19 in Dm 3.94 in
Cenedese Rare Vintage Set of 5 Green Glass Apothecary Lidded Jars Murano Italy
By Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Rare set of five Venetian Murano green colored / coloured glass Apothecary jars or urns with lids. Wonderful vintage Mid-Century Italian glass and perfect for the storage sweets or snacks in the kitchen or for cotton wool buds or cosmetics in a bathroom or for make-up or jewellery or cotton wool buds and such accessoires. Similar in style to the original designs of apothecary jars from the 19th and early 20th century. Measurements are circa: Large jar - 15.7cm tall by 10cm wide Medium jar - 12.5cm tall by 10cm wide Small jar - 9.5cm tall by 10cm wide. Rare set of jars...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
1960s Alvino Bagni Decanter Set MCM Bitossi
By Alvino Bagni
Located in Farmingdale, NJ
Very rare example, and in excellent condition! Imported by Raymor in the 1960s.
Ceramic
Set of Seven Mid-20th Century French Provence Apothecary Jars
Located in New York, NY
A collection of seven apothecary jars in french styles. Each painted apothecary or pharmacy jar has a name and unique design painted on it. The collection is mid-20th century and eac...
Ceramic
Set of 10 Plastic Storage Canisters, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
Set of 10 Plastic Storage Canisters, Austria, 1950s Presumably produced by ETO/Murplastic in Graz, Austria Crafted from durable early plastic with clean lines and functional eleganc...
Plastic
Set of 6 Enameled French Canister Set
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of Six French Enameled Canisters – Sucre, Farine, Café, Pâtes, Chicorée, Poivre Infuse your kitchen with vintage elegance through this striking ensemble of six enamelware caniste...
Enamel, Steel
Italian Raymor Hand Painted Ceramic Canister
By Raymor
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful hand-painted Italian ceramic canister with lid, made in Italy circa 1960s. Beautiful craftmanship, Mid-Century sensibility. Mid-Century, Hollywood Regency, Art Deco, Ecle...
Ceramic
Set of Six 19th Century Italian Pharmacy Jars
By Carlo Ginori
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
An early set of six 19th Century Italian Ginori pharmacy jars. With lids, each hand painted and some baring the original contents labels. Established in 1735 in Doccia, Tuscany by Ma...
Ceramic
Alvino Bagni for Raymor Vase
By Alvino Bagni, Raymor
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Stunning vase or vessel by Alvino Bagni for Raymor. Beautiful and bright orange/ red interior compliments a modern white with black design exte...
Ceramic
Gordon and Jane Martz Collection of Ceramic Vases
By Marshall Studios, Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A collection of four small vases designed by Jane and Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios. Famous for their lamps, Jane and Gordon designed many different household ceramic items.
Ceramic
Large Alvino Bagni for Raymor Jug Vessel
By Alvino Bagni
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A large ceramic vessel by Alvino Bagni for Raymor, Italy circa 1960s. Jug form with beautiful stylized decoration in shades of brown.
Ceramic
1940s Jacob Ängman Teak and Silver Lidded Jar for G.A.B.
By GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A wonderful teak jar with silver lid produced by GAB of Sweden (Guldsmedsaktiebolaget). Nice simply design with subtle deco influences on the lid.
Silver
Rare Aldo Londi for Bitossi Floor Vase, Italian Ceramic
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Exceptional and large floor vase designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. Rare and largest size of this shape. Stunning color and form. Measures: 20” tall 7.5” wide.
Ceramic
Ceramic Lidded Box by Alvino Bagni for Bitossi
By Bitossi, Alvino Bagni, Raymor
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Very nice ceramic box with lid by Alvino Bagno for Bitossi and distributed by Rosenthal Netter. Nice natural earth tones. Very good condition
Ceramic
