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.
Aldo Londi Bitossi, Midcentury Rimini Blue Ceramic Candleholder Incised Floral
By Bitossi
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Candleholder by Aldo Londi for Bitossi of Italy, Rimini blue ceramic jug shaped with hand incised floral decoration, circa 1970s Measures: Height 5...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Bitossi Rimini Blu Candle Holder by Aldo Londi, Italy
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This striking Mid-Century Modern candle holder was designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi Ceramiche as part of the iconic "Rimini Blu" series. Crafted in Italy during the 1960s, this handmade ceramic chamberstick features a vibrant blue glaze with characteristic embossed geometric decorations around the body. The piece has a central candle socket with a surrounding dish to catch wax drips and a raised handle, reminiscent of antique chambersticks...
Ceramic, Pottery
Grouping of Five Italian Ceramic Owls by Ado Londi for Bitossi
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1960’s Rare grouping of five Italian “ Rimini Blue” ceramic owls by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. They are in beautiful vintage condition. The grouping consist of three vases and two cand...
Ceramic
Aldo Londi Ceramic Candlestick Blue Glazed Bitossi Mid 20th Century Rimini Blu
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This exquisite Bitossi candle holder embodies the vibrant spirit of mid-20th-century Italian ceramics, particularly from the iconic Rimini Blu collection designed by Aldo Londi. Craf...
Ceramic, Pottery
Modern Sunburst Pottery Candleholders - Bitossi Londi Rosenthal Netter Italy 60s
By Aldo Londi, Rosenthal Netter, Bitossi
Located in Miami, FL
1960s exotic Mid-Century Modern pair candle holders by Aldo Londi for Rosenthal Netter and produced by Bitossi. Wonderful orange and gold flower pattern, named Sunburst, over a glos...
Ceramic, Pottery
Aldo Londi Bitossi Rimini Blue Glazed Midcentury Candle Holder Bowl, 1950s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful and decorative midcentury Rimini blue glazed round candle holder or candlestick. Designed by Aldo Londi, manufactured by Bitossi Ceram...
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Large Rimini Blu Aldo Londi for Bitossi Vase
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful glaze an excellent condition on this large Bitossi vase circa 1980's .
Ceramic
$892
H 2.56 in W 7.68 in D 5.91 in
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Rimini Blu Leaf Shaped Glazed Ceramic Bowl / Ashtray
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Barcelona, ES
Unusual 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...
Pottery, Terracotta, Ceramic
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 Aldo Londi, Bitossi
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
Aldo Londi Bitossi Rimini Blu Ceramic Round Bowl, 1950s
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Barcelona, ES
Rimini Blue Bitossi Aldo Londi Bowl, Glazed Ceramic Italian midcentury Aldo Londi Bitossi Rimini blue glazed ceramic circular bowl. Italy, 1950-19...
Pottery, Terracotta, Ceramic
$1,050Sale Price|38% Off
H 2 in W 8.25 in D 4 in
Bitossi for Rosenthal Netter Box, Ceramic, Chartreuse, Signed
By Rosenthal Netter, Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Bitossi for Rosenthal Netter box, ceramic, chartreuse, signed. Small scale lidded box decorated with impressed geometric patterns and glazed in chartreuse, ...
Ceramic
$1,784
H 9.85 in Dm 7.49 in
Sic Rimini Blu Glazed Ceramic Large Lidded Vessel / Box Bitossi Aldo Londi Style
By SIC Ceramiche Artistiche, Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Barcelona, ES
Large Mid-Century Modern blue glazed ceramic (Rimini Blu) round lidded box , Manufactured by S.I.C Ceramiche Italy, 1950-1960s. It has reminiscences in those Rimini blue designs from Aldo Londi and Bitossi...
Ceramic, Pottery, Terracotta
$392
H 5.75 in W 3.5 in D 2.38 in
Bitossi Rimini Blue Ceramic Owl Sculpture by Aldo Londi, Italy, 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Bitossi Ceramic Sculpture by Aldo Londi, Rimini Blu, Italy, 1960s An exceptional Mid-Century Italian ceramic sculpture by Bitossi, designed by Aldo Londi in the 1960s. This rare piec...
Ceramic
$456Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.55 in W 7.09 in D 2.37 in
Italian Midcentury Rimini Blu Ceramic Lion by Aldo Londi for Bitossi
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Vienna, AT
This charming iconic lion ceramic sculpture from the Rimini Blue series is designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi Italy in the 1960s. The Italian Ceramic Artist Aldo Londi from Montelupo...
Ceramic
$410Sale Price|28% Off
H 1.97 in W 7.49 in D 7.49 in
Bitossi by Aldo Londi Rimini Blu Glazed Ceramic Ashtray Vide-Poche, Italy 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Valencia, VC
Gorgeous Italian vintage ceramic large ashtray by Aldo Londi for Bitossi from the Rimini Blu range. Handcrafted in Flavia Montelupo, Italy, circa the 1960s. It would look beautiful ...
Ceramic
$410
H 4.75 in W 5.63 in D 2.75 in
Bitossi Rimini Blue Ceramic Bird Sculpture by Aldo Londi, Italy, 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Bitossi Ceramic Sculpture by Aldo Londi, Rimini Blu, Italy, 1960s An exceptional Mid-Century Italian ceramic sculpture by Bitossi, designed by Aldo Londi in the 1960s. This rare piec...
Ceramic
Vintage ceramic vase Rimini Blue, design Aldo Londi, Bitossi Italy 1970s
By Bitossi
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Mid-Century round Italian pottery vase with Bitossi Rimini Blue pattern. The outside surface of the vase is decorated with a printed pattern. The glaze has a deep blue and turquoise ...
Ceramic
Mid Century Bitossi Rimini Style Blue Art Pottery Bird Candle Holder
By Bitossi
Located in Fairfield, CA
A mid century pottery candle holder in the shape of a bird. Lovely texture and variation to the blue glaze. Accented by hand painted black glaze. Features an open back with a candle ...
Pottery
Sold
H 7.09 in Dm 3.94 in
Vintage glazed ceramic Candlestick by Aldo Londi for Bitossi Ceramiche Italy 60s
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Purchasing a vintage glazed ceramic candlestick by Aldo Londi for Bitossi Ceramiche from the 1960s is an exceptional investment for several compelling reasons. First and foremost, Al...
Ceramic
Mid Century Modern Ceramic Candle Holder - attr. to Bitossi Aldo Londi
By Bitossi
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful mid century modern ceramic candle holder, made in the typical style of Bitossi. The piece is marked on the bottom 'Italy' wit...
Ceramic
Set of Six Italian Ceramic Owls Candleholders by Bitossi
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A rare set of six Italian ceramic owls by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, imported by Rosenthal & Netter. five of the owls are candleholder and one is a vase. All of the owls are marked made...
Ceramic
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Art Pottery Bitossi Candleholders by Aldo Londi
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic pair of Mid-Century Modern Sculptural art pottery vases / candleholders. Amazing colors greens and yellows banded along symmetrically with archaic impressions. In excellent...
Clay, Pottery
Set of Seven Italian Ceramic ‘Rimini Blue’ Owl Candle Holders by Bitossi
By Aldo Londi, Rosenthal Netter, Bitossi
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A spectacular collection of seven Italian ‘Rimini Blue’ ceramic owl candle holders and vases designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi in the 1960’s. This...
Ceramic
Sold
H 5 in W 2.5 in D 2.5 in
Rosenthal Netter Candlesticks, Ceramic, Mondrian, Orange, Yellow, Blue, Signed
By Rosenthal Netter, Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Rosenthal Netter candlesticks, ceramic Mondrian, signed. Small column form candlesticks with Mondrian pattern in Pop Art colors: yellow, orange and green, blue. Signed with paper lab...
Ceramic
Bitossi Ceramic Candlesticks
By Bitossi
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pair of Bitossi ceramic candlesticks, in very good vintage condition.
Ceramic
Set of Five Italian Ceramic Owls Candleholders by Bitossi
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A rare set of five Italian ceramic owls by Aldo Londi for Bitossi imported by Rosenthal & Netter. Four of the owls are candleholder and one is a vase. All of the owls are marked made...
Ceramic
Bitossi Candlestick by Aldo Londi
By Bitossi
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Rimini blue, blue glazed ceramic candleholder (column or taper) by Aldo Londi for Bitossi with hand carved geometric designs and a vibrant turquoise and cobalt glaze. Made in Italy, ...
Ceramic
Four-Piece Rimini Blue Ceramic Set by Bitossi
By Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Four-piece Rimini blue glazed ceramic set composed of a compote, cannister and a pair of candlesticks. Pieces feature the iconic blue glaze with incised details. Pieces marked Italy ...
Ceramic