Aldo Londi Rimini Blue Ashtray for Bitossi
About the Item
- Creator:Aldo Londi (Artist),Bitossi (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 1.75 in (4.45 cm)Diameter: 6 in (15.24 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Good vintage condition. No cracks. Some flea bites along edges as seen in photos.
- Seller Location:Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6584229294572
Bitossi
Like a Fellini movie, the ceramics of this famed Italian company embody a creative spectrum that ranges from the playful and earthy to the high-minded and provocative. Based in Florence, Bitossi Ceramiche draws on craft traditions that date back to the 1500s. These find expression in the artisanal vintage vases and animal figures by the firm’s longtime art director Aldo Londi, as well as the colorful, totemic vessels designed by the high priest of postmodernism, Ettore Sottsass.
The company was incorporated by Guido Bitossi in 1921, though the family began making art pottery in the mid-19th century. In the 1930s, Londi came aboard, bringing with him a mindset that respected time-honored craft, yet looked also to the future. On the one hand, Londi’s perspective fostered the making of Bitossi’s popular whimsical animal figures, hand-shaped and -carved and finished in a rich azure glaze known as “Rimini Blue.”
But with his other hand, Londi reached out to thoughtful, experimental designers such as Sottsass. Starting in the 1950s, some 20 years before he founded the Memphis postmodern design collective in Milan, Sottsass used the Bitossi kilns to create timeless works that manifest both primitive forms and modern geometries. In later decades, Bitossi would welcome new generations of designers, which have included such names as Ginevra Bocini and Karim Rashid. While always looking forward, Bitossi is firm in their belief that mastery of craft is the first step towards beautiful design. As you will see from the works offered on these pages, that is a winning philosophy.
Find a collection of vintage Bitossi decorative objects, lighting and serveware on 1stDibs.
Aldo Londi
Master Italian ceramist Aldo Londi created a range of decorative objects in the latter half of the 20th century for the manufacturer Bitossi. In addition to the small-scale animal sculptures for which he is best known, Londi designed a variety of ceramics for the famed company that includes vases, bowls and desk accessories. Collectors know that vintage Aldo Londi pottery is marked by deep attention to detail and an integration of rich, alluring hues typically associated with the Mediterranean.
Londi was born in Montelupo Fiorentino, just outside of Florence, an area that has been known for its pottery since the Renaissance. Londi showed an early interest in the craft, apprenticing at the Fratelli Fanciullacci ceramic workshop when he was only 11 years old. He worked at the company until he left to fight in World War II. After returning to Montelupo Fiorentino in 1946, Londi became the creative director at Bitossi — a position he held for more than 50 years.
Londi's fresh and unique style breathed new life into Bitossi. He prioritized the production of high-quality and handmade decorative objects and created many of Bitossi's pottery lines himself. The most famous of Londi's Bitossi collections is the Rimini Blu line of animals and vases, which debuted in 1955. The collection is characterized by geometric and whimsical patterns and is recognizable for its marvelous blue color.
Londi's fame and popularity extended outside of Italy with the help of Raymor. The American import and distribution company introduced many esteemed Italian manufacturers such as Bitossi to boutiques and department stores in the United States. After Raymor founder Irving Richards hired Ettore Sottsass to design ceramics, Richards connected his new recruit to Londi. Decades before he founded a legendary postmodern design collective in Milan called the Memphis Group, Sottsass used the Bitossi kilns to create timeless works that manifest both primitive forms and modern geometries.
In 2021, Bitossi opened the Bitossi Archive Museum at its Montelupo Fiorentino headquarters. Many of the works designed by the company's most esteemed contributor and artistic director, Aldo Londi, are proudly displayed.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Aldo Londi serveware, lighting, decorative objects and more.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Small Ceramic Vase by Ettore Sottsass for Bitossi, 1959By Ettore Sottsass, BitossiLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLA small ceramic vase or bottle with green and purple pinstripe glaze designed by Ettore Sottsass for Bitossi. Aquired from the Miami estate...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- Arthur Umanoff Large Taverneau Wood Serving Bowl for PantalcraftBy Arthur UmanoffLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLVintage large free form Taverneau wood bowl made in Haiti by Arthur Umanoff for Pantalcraft. Designer: Arthur Umanoff Maker: Pantalcraft Origin: Haiti Year: 1960s Styl...Category
Mid-20th Century Haitian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsHardwood
- Teak Serving Bowl by Jens Quistgaard for DanskBy Dansk, Jens QuistgaardLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLVintage staved teak serving bowl designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. Stamped "Dansk Designs Denmark IHQ" on bottom. Designer: Jens Quis...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsTeak
- Teak Serving Bowl by Jens Quistgaard for DanskBy Dansk, Jens QuistgaardLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLVintage staved teak serving bowl designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. Stamped "Dansk International Design LTD Thailand JHQ". Designer: Jens Qu...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsTeak
- Teak Salad Bowl by Jens Quistgaard for DanskBy Dansk, Jens QuistgaardLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLVintage staved teak large salad bowl design by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. Stamped "Dansk International Design LTD Thailand JHQ". Designer: Jens ...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Serving Bowls
MaterialsTeak
- Brazilian Jacaranda Rosewood Bowl by Jac-ArteBy Jean GillonLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLVintage Brazilian modern bowl crafted in solid Jacaranda Rosewood by Jac-Arte. Maker: Jac Art Year: 1960s Origin: Brazil Style: Mid Century Modern Dimensions: 9.5" wid...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsJacaranda, Rosewood
- Mid-Century Aldo Londi for Bitossi Geometric Ceramic Ashtray, Italy, 1960sBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in San Diego, CAAldo Londi for Bitossi yellow and orange geometric ashtray or bowl. Signed on the bottom. Italy 1960s. Aldo Londi (Montelupo Fiorentino, 1911-20...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche
MaterialsCeramic
- Aldo Londi Bitossi Rimini Blue Glazed Ceramic Rectangular Ashtray Bowl VidepocheBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in Barcelona, ESItalian handcrafted blue glazed ceramic rectangular ashtray / bowl with hand-carved geometric designs in cobalt blue and turquoise colors. The 'Rim...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsPottery, Terracotta, Ceramic
- Aldo Londi for Bitossi Rimini Blu Leaf Shaped Glazed Ceramic Bowl / AshtrayBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in Barcelona, ESUnusual leaf design midcentury blue glazed (Rimini Blu) ceramic bowl / vide-poche / ashtray. Italy, 1950-1960s. Designed by Aldo Londi and manufactured by Bitossi. Handcrafted in It...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsPottery, Terracotta, Ceramic
- Rimini Blu Catchall Ashtray by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Made in ItalyBy Aldo Londi, Bitossi, RaymorLocated in Miami, FLItalian handmade ceramic vide-poche or catchall tray in the vibrant signature blue of Aldo Londi's iconic art pottery collection Rimini Blu, orig...Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays
MaterialsCeramic
- 1960s Bitossi Ashtray/Catchall by Aldo Londi Blue Rimini CollectionBy Aldo LondiLocated in Milano, IT1960s Gorgeous Bitossi ashtray/catchall by Aldo Londi, it's part of "Blue Rimini" Collection, and is in very good condition. Handmade, made in Italy Dimensions: 5,90" x 4,52" x 1,5...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays
MaterialsCeramic
- Ashtray or Vide-Poche in Rimini Blue Ceramic, Bitossi by Aldo Londi, Italy 1960sBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in Roma, ITGorgeous ceramic ashtray or vide-poche in a stunning blue glazed (Rimini Blu) color. This vibrant ceramic item was designed by Aldo Londi and hand-crafted by Bitossi in Italy during ...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays
MaterialsPottery, Ceramic