Bitossi Building and Garden Elements

Italian

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.

Creator: Bitossi

Vintage Cherub or Putti Terracotta Planter or Urn by Bitossi Filippo - Italy

$595

Vintage Cherub or Putti Terracotta Planter or Urn by Bitossi Filippo - Italy

By Bitossi

Located in St. Louis, MO

Wonderful vintage Bitossi Filippo - Italy red terracotta garden planter, urn or flower pot decorated with a continuous frieze of dancing putti / cerubs carrying fruity festoons. Stam...

Category

1960s Italian Neoclassical Vintage Bitossi Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Terracotta

Mid-Century Modern Italian Studio Pottery Planter from Bitossi, 1960s

$492

Mid-Century Modern Italian Studio Pottery Planter from Bitossi, 1960s

By Bitossi

Located in Hamburg, DE

Mid-Century Modern Italian Studio Pottery Planter from Bitossi, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark, Additional information: Mat...

Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bitossi Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Ceramic

Large Italian Bitossi Red Terracotta Cherub Putti Garden Planter Flower Pot

$650 / item

Large Italian Bitossi Red Terracotta Cherub Putti Garden Planter Flower Pot

By Bitossi

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Large Italian Bitossi Red Terracotta Cherub Putti Garden Planter Flower Pot. Item features decorated with frieze of dancing putti carrying fruity festoons, marked with Bitossi manufa...

Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Bitossi Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Terracotta

Mid-Century Modern Italian Studio Pottery Planter from Bitossi, 1960s

$984

Mid-Century Modern Italian Studio Pottery Planter from Bitossi, 1960s

By Bitossi

Located in Hamburg, DE

Mid-Century Modern Italian Studio Pottery Planter from Bitossi, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark, Additional information: Mat...

Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bitossi Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Patinated Terracotta Planter or Garden Pot Seashell Form, 1920´s Sweden

$2,242

H 11.42 in W 17.33 in D 18.51 in

Antique Patinated Terracotta Planter or Garden Pot Seashell Form, 1920´s Sweden

Located in Odense, DK

Wonderful planter or garden pot in patinated terracotta made in Sweden in the early 20th century.

Category

Early 1900s Antique Bitossi Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Terracotta

Gustavian Style Italian Terracotta Planters

$795 / set

H 20 in Dm 24 in

Gustavian Style Italian Terracotta Planters

Located in Hollywood, FL

This is a set of 2 original finish Gustavian style Italian terracotta planters. I actually have 6 sets of 2.

Category

1960s Italian Gustavian Vintage Bitossi Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Terracotta

Gustavian Style Italian Terracotta Planters

$795 / set

H 20 in Dm 24 in

Gustavian Style Italian Terracotta Planters

Located in Hollywood, FL

This is a set of 2 original finish Gustavian style Italian terracotta planters. I actually have 6 sets of 2.

Category

1960s Italian Gustavian Vintage Bitossi Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Terracotta

Mid-Century Modern Atomic Planter

$275

H 11 in Dm 5.25 in

Mid-Century Modern Atomic Planter

Located in Charleston, SC

Mid-Century Modern atomic planter that sits on ball feet. actual planter part is a cone shape.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bitossi Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Gainey Architectural Pottery Clay Planter Pot Black Glaze

$400 / item

H 6 in Dm 8 in

Mid-Century Modern Gainey Architectural Pottery Clay Planter Pot Black Glaze

By Gainey Pottery

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Mid-Century Modern Gainey Architectural Pottery Planters Pots dark Satin Black Glaze Ceramic Pottery circa 1960. Most are Labeled on bottom. Made in USA California. Located in NYC. ...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bitossi Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Ceramic

Faux Bois Garden Planter Pot of Terracotta from the Royal Potteries, England

$1,895

H 9.75 in Dm 20 in

Faux Bois Garden Planter Pot of Terracotta from the Royal Potteries, England

Located in Austin, TX

A fine English garden round planter pot of terracotta from the Edwardian era, featuring a faux bois or tree bark and vine exterior around the circumference. This highly decorative p...

Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Bitossi Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Pottery, Terracotta

Willy Guhl Planter, 1960s

$2,144Sale Price|20% Off

H 8 in Dm 22 in

Willy Guhl Planter, 1960s

By Willy Guhl

Located in Čelinac, BA

Concrite planter by swiss architect Willy Guhl 1960s.

Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bitossi Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Concrete

Diabolo Willy Guhl planter in ethernite from the 1960s

$1,888

H 31.11 in Dm 17.72 in

Diabolo Willy Guhl planter in ethernite from the 1960s

By Willy Guhl

Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

"Diabolo" planter by Swiss designer Willy Guhl, produced by Eternite in the 1970s. Fiber-cement structure. In beautiful vintage condition with a lovely patina that we have chosen to ...

Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bitossi Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Cement

Pair of Vintage Italian Terracotta Planters

$1,850 / set

H 16 in W 19.5 in D 19.5 in

Pair of Vintage Italian Terracotta Planters

Located in Chicago, IL

This charming pair of vintage Italian terracotta garden planters is designed in the form of woven baskets, complete with thickly rolled rims and sculpted feet. Their surface is richl...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Country Bitossi Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Terracotta

Antique Large Greek Terracotta Pot

$2,875

H 36 in Dm 26 in

Antique Large Greek Terracotta Pot

Located in Houston, TX

The Antique Large Greek Terracotta Pot is a striking example of ancient craftsmanship, designed to serve both functional and decorative purposes. This imposing planter, characterized...

Category

19th Century Greek Antique Bitossi Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Terracotta

David Cressey Cheerio Planter, Architectural Pottery, 1960s

$2,600Sale Price|20% Off

H 15.5 in Dm 17.5 in

David Cressey Cheerio Planter, Architectural Pottery, 1960s

By David Cressey

Located in South Jordan, UT

Impressive 1960s David Cressey stoneware planter designed for Architectural Pottery from the Pro-Artisan series. The planter is unglazed and has the famous "Cheerio" pattern circling...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bitossi Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stoneware

Set of 2 Italian Terracotta Planters by Silvestri

$1,498 / set

H 19 in Dm 19 in

Set of 2 Italian Terracotta Planters by Silvestri

Located in West Hollywood, CA

This striking set of two Silvestri terracotta planters exemplifies timeless classical garden design combined with traditional handcrafted artistry. Each planter is formed from solid ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bitossi Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Terracotta

Previously Available Items

Italian Bitossi Rare Terracotta Cherub Planter Flower Pot Stamped Neoclassical

Sold

H 12 in Dm 15.5 in

Italian Bitossi Rare Terracotta Cherub Planter Flower Pot Stamped Neoclassical

By Bitossi

Located in San Diego, CA

Large Italian Bitossi red terracotta Cherub Putti garden planter flower pot. Item features decorated with frieze of dancing putti carrying fruity fe...

Category

20th Century Italian Neoclassical Bitossi Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Terracotta

Bitossi Filippo Italian Red Terracotta Cherub Garden Planter Flower Pot

Sold

H 11.5 in Dm 15 in

Bitossi Filippo Italian Red Terracotta Cherub Garden Planter Flower Pot

By Bitossi

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Bitossi Filippo Italian Red Terracotta Cherub garden planter flower pot, circa Mid-20th Century. Measurements: 11.5" H x 15" Diameter.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Classical Bitossi Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Terracotta

Aldo Londi for Bitossi Striped Planter

Sold

H 5.5 in Dm 6.75 in

Aldo Londi for Bitossi Striped Planter

By Aldo Londi, Bitossi

Located in Philadelphia, PA

beautiful brown planter by Aldo Londi for bitossi. Made in Italy sticker present on bottom. White, yellow and green stripes. Great for indoor ou...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bitossi Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Ceramic

Fire Orange Bitossi Planter Pots Pair, Attributed to Aldo Londi

Sold

H 7 in Dm 6 in

Fire Orange Bitossi Planter Pots Pair, Attributed to Aldo Londi

By Bitossi, Aldo Londi

Located in Ferndale, MI

Pair of fire orange ribbed planter pots from Bitossi's Pietra (Stone) decor series. Attributed to Aldo Londi, by way of Rosenthal Netter. Paper labels intact on undersides. Smaller p...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bitossi Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Ceramic

Terracotta Planter or Urn by Bitossi

Sold

H 11.82 in Dm 14.97 in

Terracotta Planter or Urn by Bitossi

By Bitossi

Located in Antwerp, BE

A pair of modern red terracotta planters stamped with the impressed mark of the famous Italian Bitossi manufactory, decorated with a continuous frieze of dancing putti carrying fruit...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bitossi Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Terracotta

Pair of Italian Ceramic Planters by Bitossi for Rosenthal

Sold

H 8.25 in Dm 9.5 in

Pair of Italian Ceramic Planters by Bitossi for Rosenthal

By Bitossi, Rosenthal Netter

Located in Palm Springs, CA

A pair of Italian ceramic planters or bowls design in the 1960s by Bitossi for Rosenthal Netter. The pair are different size, the large one is ...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bitossi Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Ceramic

Bitossi 'Seta' Ceramic Footed Bowl

Sold

H 6 in Dm 7 in

Bitossi 'Seta' Ceramic Footed Bowl

By Bitossi

Located in Astoria, NY

An Italian Sgraffito ceramic footed bowl or planter, produced circa 1960s by Bitossi from the 'Seta' series, the glaze, in horizontal bands of browns...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bitossi Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Ceramic

Bitossi building and garden elements for sale on 1stDibs.

Bitossi building and garden elements are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of ceramic and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Bitossi building and garden elements, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original building and garden elements by Bitossi were created in the mid-century modern style in italy during the 1960s. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider building and garden elements by Poltronova, Vivai del Sud, and Mario Papperzini. Prices for Bitossi building and garden elements can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $175 and can go as high as $175, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $175.

Questions About Bitossi Building and Garden Elements

How do you identify a Bitossi?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024
To identify a Bitossi, look for the maker's markings on the bottom and other inconspicuous areas. Beginning in the 1950s, Bitossi typically marked its pottery with a handwritten style number and the words "Made in Italy" or "Italy." After the 1970s, the Italian company started to imprint its name on its pieces. However, some Bitossi pottery is unmarked. As a result, you may want to consult a certified appraiser or a knowledgeable dealer for assistance with identification. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse assortment of Bitossi pottery.
What is Bitossi's style?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024
Bitossi's style has changed over the course of its more than 100-year history. However, the brand is most famous for its mid-century modern pieces made during the 1950s and ’60s. Bitossi ceramics also reflect the hallmarks of Scandinavian modern style. Explore a wide range of Bitossi pottery from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.
Is all Bitossi signed?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
No, not all Bitossi is signed. A small number bear no marks at all. Most have either a hand-applied signature or a stamp that says "Italy" or "Made in Italy." You'll find a collection of expertly vetted Bitossi decorative objects and lighting on 1stDibs.
Is Flavia the same as Bitossi?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024
No, Flavia and Bitossi are not exactly the same. The company Gruppo Colorobbia produces both Flavia and Bitossi pottery. Beginning in 1976, the Flavia collection featured more decorative art pieces than the Bitossi line. In 1994, Gruppo Colorobbia began calling everything Bitossi. However, you can find some select pottery that bears both the Flavia and Bitossi names. Explore a wide range of Bitossi pieces on 1stDibs.
What is the history of Bitossi pottery?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024
The history of Bitossi pottery began in 1926, when Guido Bitossi founded his shop in Montelupo Fiorentino, near Florence, Italy. He descended from a long line of artisans, including painters, sculptors and potters. His son Londi became the creative director of Bitossi in 1946 and was responsible for introducing the colorful glazes that Bitossi has become famous for during his 50-year tenure. During the 1950s, Ettore Sottsass began to design unique pieces for Bitossi, and his geometric bowls and vases redefined the art form of pottery and set major trends during the mid-century period. After Londi Bitossi stepped down, a new generation of the family took over, with Guido's granddaughter Cinzia Bitossi serving as artistic director and his great-granddaughter Ginevra Bocin acting as CEO. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Bitossi pottery.

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