Like a Fellini movie, the ceramics of the famed Italian company Bitossi Ceramiche embody a creative spectrum that ranges from the playful and earthy to the high-minded and provocative. Based in Florence, Bitossi draws on craft traditions that date back to the 1500s. These find expression in Bitossi pottery that includes 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.
Bitossi 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 cats, owls, horses and other 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. After hiring Sottsass to design ceramics for his New York imports company, Raymor, American entrepreneur Irving Richards connected the Milanese design polymath to Londi, who introduced Sottsass to ceramics in the 1950s.
During that decade, 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.
1970s Aldo Londi for Bitossi Rosenthal Netter Ceramic Box, Signed
By Bitossi, Rosenthal Netter
Located in New York, NY
Small-scale lidded ceramic box from Bitossi’s Pietra series, produced in the 1970s and imported by Rosenthal Netter. The box features an abstract patter...
Ceramic
Huge Italian Vintage Ceramic Rhimini Blue Vase Aldo Londi for Bitossi, C. 1960
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Beautiful and rare tall 30cm/12" embossed vase in vibrant 'Rhimini' blue and turquoise by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, circa 1968. A great piece of vintage, mid-century handmade Italian pottery. Very rare size to find. Shape number 727/30. We have more rare Bitossi...
Ceramic, Clay
Mid-Century Italian Modern Bitossi Ceramic Blue Horse Pottery by Aldo Londi
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large and chic horse sculpture circa 1960s Aldo Londi for Bitossi. This piece features all glazed ceramic construction in a beautiful blue / green color. Signed Italy
Ceramic
Bitossi Italian Mid-Century Art Pottery Textured Lamp Base
By Bitossi
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish mid-century art pottery lamp base by renowned Italian makers Bitossi and dating from around 1960. The hand-crafted lamp base is of...
Stoneware
Italian Vintage Ceramic Rhimini Blue Vase by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, circa 1960
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Beautiful tall embossed vase in vibrant 'Rhimini' blue and turquoise by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, circa 1968. A great. piece of vintage, mid-century handmade Italian pottery. Shape number 727/21. We have more rare Bitossi...
Ceramic, Clay
$2,200 / set
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Sake Set
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A circa late 1950’s Aldo Londi Italian stoneware sake set, created for the Bitossi Company. The Cups are decorated with modern inscribed faces and signed under foot, Italy, approxima...
Pottery
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
Bitossi Lamp
By Bitossi
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A large pottery lamp by Bitossi. Great pattern and coloring. Signed on the base made in Italy. The base we had remade and painted brown while the wiring is new as well. The pottery h...
Pottery
Bitossi Aldo Londi Rimini Blu Horse, Italy, circa 1968
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Pymble, NSW
A deep 'Rimini Blu' glazed horse by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. Brilliant glaze with streaks of green over the highly detailed trappings.
Pottery
Bitossi Aldo Londi Cavalero Italy c1968
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Pymble, NSW
A brilliant depiction of a lance wielding Middle Ages knight on horseback with round shield. A naive, rustic style in muted ochre and green glazes. In wonderful condition it still re...
Pottery
$1,440Sale Price / set|20% Off
1950s Stylized Italian Pottery Bird Vases, a Pair
By Raymor, Alvino Bagni, Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in New Windsor, NY
A fine pair of handmade Bitossi art pottery stylized bird vases. Great muted color palette of an olive green, black and white glazes. The finger print by the bird's eye is truly rema...
Ceramic, Pottery
Bitossi, Londi Designed Lion Series 'Pietra', circa 1964, Italy
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Pymble, NSW
Aldo Londi designed bronze finish lion called 'Pietra', early 1960s. This was also made as a lamp base and finished with different glazes. The 'bronze' finish as here is very rare. S...
Pottery
Italian Bitossi Ceramic Vase
By Bitossi
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Bitossi Ceramics is an Italian ceramics company founded in 1921 by Guido Bitossi in the town of Montelupo Fiorentino, located in the Tuscany region of Italy. Bitossi Ceramics is know...
Ceramic
$1,064Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.09 in Dm 5.71 in
Midcentury Bitossi Aldo Londi Rimini Blue Glazed Ceramic Vase
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Barcelona, ES
'Rimini blu' glazed ceramic vase designed by Aldo Londi for by Bitossi. Italy, 1960s. This eye-catching vase is made of blue glazed ceramic with engraved patterns surrounding the cen...
Ceramic, Pottery, Terracotta
Bitossi Aldo Londi Rimini Blue Ceramic Vase, Italy 1960
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Barcelona, ES
'Rimini blu' glazed ceramic vase designed by Aldo Londi for by Bitossi. Italy, 1960s. This eye-catching vase is made of blue glazed ceramic with engraved patterns surrounding the cen...
Ceramic, Pottery, Terracotta
$495
H 12.13 in Dm 6.89 in
Vintage West German Bitossi Style Vase by Bodo Mans for Bay Pottery, circa 1970
By Bodo Mans, Bay Keramik, Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Beautiful vintage vase by Bodo Mans and produced by Bay Keramik in the early to mid-1970s. The Aldo Londi for Bitossi style relief pattern, captured in 'Rhimini' blue and aquamarine / turquoise has a quintessentially vintage. 1970s vibe whilst maintaining a modern feel. This vintage midcentury vase...
Ceramic, Clay
Mid-Century Bitossi Stambecchi by Aldo Londi
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Nice vase from Bitossi by Aldo Londi. The pattern is Stambecchi or Caprone (goat), designed by Aldo Londi. A sgraffito and glazed pattern of goats in grey, brown and orange on a brus...
Ceramic
$2,407 / set
H 10.04 in Dm 4.53 in
Bitossi Sahara Aldo Londi Cer Paoli Glazed Ceramic Vases, Italy, 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bruno Paoli, Bitossi
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of two Bitossi Aldo Londi for Cer Paoli Sahara range ceramic vases. Italy, 1960s. Ceramiche Paoli "Cer Paoli" was created at the end of the Second World ...
Ceramic, Pottery, Terracotta
$360Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.5 in W 6.25 in D 2 in
Mid-Century Aldo Londi Bitossi Italian Art Pottery Lion Figurine Sculpture Italy
By Bitossi
Located in San Diego, CA
Wonderful Aldo Bitossi Italian art pottery lion figurine sculpture and dates from the 1960's. Marked on the bottom "Made in Italy". Color is great and the figurine is in excellent co...
Pottery
Louis Dage French Art Deco Stoneware Table Lamp, 1920
By Louis Dage
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French Art Deco stoneware table lamp by Louis DAGE (Antony, Paris), France, 1920s. Stoneware, brass & fabric. Important enamel applications. Height: 15.75"(40cm), Width: 9.85"(25cm)....
Brass
Aldo Londi Terracotta Ceramic Rimini Blue Vase for Bitossi, Italy, 1960s
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning sphere-shaped terracotta ceramic Rimini blue vase for Bitossi. This magnificent set was designed by Aldo Londi in Italy during 1960s. This...
Ceramic, Terracotta
Aldo Londi Bitossi Rimini Blue Glazed Ceramic XL Vase, Italy 1960
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Barcelona, ES
A giant sized handmade Rimini blue ceramic vase designed by Aldo Londi and manufactured by Bitossi. Italy, 1960s. Blue glazed ceramic with engraved patterns adorning the top of the ...
Pottery, Terracotta, Ceramic
$2,359
H 5.52 in W 6.3 in D 7.88 in
Rare “Rimini Blu” Ceramic Fish by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy, 1970s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Brescia, Brescia
A truly exceptional and rare example of Aldo Londi’s work for Bitossi Ceramiche, this sculptural ceramic fish belongs to the iconic “Rimini Blu” collection, designed and produced in ...
Ceramic
$938
H 5.91 in W 7.87 in D 5.51 in
Mid-Century Studio Pottery Teapot from Kirsten Pottery, Ørum, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Studio Pottery Teapot from Kirsten Pottery, Ørum, Denmark, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution markIt is completely authen...
Ceramic
$400
H 1.25 in W 6.5 in D 6.5 in
Aldo Londi Ceramic, Pottery Ashtray for Bitossi, Geometric, Mondrian, Pattern
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very elegant design in this ashtray by the well known artist/designer Aldo Londi.
Ceramic
Sold
H 12 in W 3.5 in D 6.25 in
Mid Century Bitossi Seta Sgraffito Pitcher Turquoise and Gold Italian Pottery
By Bitossi
Located in Lutz, FL
Mid Century Modern Italian Bitossi Seta Sgraffito Pitcher, blue, white and turquoise colorway with gold accents. Very minimal losses to glaze on handle as shown, no chips or cracks. ...
Ceramic, Clay, Pottery
Sold
H 5.91 in W 10.83 in D 3.75 in
Italian Vintage Ceramic Blue Bull Sculpture by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, c. 1970
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Beautiful large bull animal sculpture in vibrant 'Rimini' blue and turquoise with embossed pattern by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, circa 1970s. A great piece of vintage, mid-century handm...
Ceramic, Clay
Mid-Century Bitossi Vase
By Bitossi
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Nice Bitossi vase with vibrant colors. The Bitossi family was documented in the territory of Montelupo Fiorentino as far back as 1536. Over the centurie...
Ceramic
Bitossi Aldo Londi Vintage Car Cylinder Vase, Italy, c1968
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Pymble, NSW
A bright blue cylinder vase decorated with 3 different vintage cars. The cars outlines are deeply incised and coloured with various coloured glazes. It retains part of its Rosenthal ...
Pottery
Bitossi Aldo Londi Rimini Blue Elephant Italy C.1968
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Pymble, NSW
A lovely Aldo Londi designed Rimini blue elephant with a bright blue glaze in excellent condition. Remnants of original paper label to the underside. C.1...
Pottery
Italian Ceramic Rhimini Blue Vase by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, circa 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Beautiful midcentury vintage Italian made embossed ceramic jug, vase or pitcher in vibrant blue and turquoise by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, circa 1965. A beautiful original piece of Ita...
Ceramic, Clay
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Face Vase
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A pottery face vase by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, retailed by Goodfriend. Marked on the base Italy with the numbers 95/3XX indicating Goodfriend. A lovely piece, very different from the...
Pottery
Sold
H 2.13 in W 8.13 in D 4 in
Bitossi for Rosenthal Netter Box, Ceramic, White, Brown, Abstract, Signed
By Rosenthal Netter, Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Bitossi for Rosenthal Netter box, ceramic abstract ridges, signed. Small scale lidded box decorated with an abstract pattern of incised relief or carved rid...
Ceramic
Bitossi 'Rimini Blu' Horse Bookends by Aldo Londi, Italy, 1960s
By Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Aldo Londi designed several figural bookends for Bitossi. This is a fine example in the rich "Rimini Blu" glaze.
Pottery
Bitossi Aldo Londi Horse Italy, circa 1968
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Pymble, NSW
A large Aldo Londi designed horse for Bitossi in a sky blue glaze with good detail to the saddle and other trappings.
Pottery
Bitossi Aldo Londi Yellow Owl Vase, Italy, circa 1968
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Pymble, NSW
Nicely detailed owl vase by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, marked to the base, and with typical circle stamping pattern to the sides.
Pottery
Bitossi Aldo Londi Italy 2 Faced Cat, circa 1968
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Pymble, NSW
A whimsical 'Rimini Blu' 2 faced cat in perfect condition. Typical Aldo Londi design in a vibrant glaze.
Pottery