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.
Red Ceramic Bull by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy, 1960's
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in BARCELONA, ES
This Italian midcentury red glazed ceramic bull designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi is a rare and collectible piece from the renowned Italian ceramics manufacturer. This bull from 19...
Ceramic
Aldo Londi Bitossi Horse Sculpture, Ceramic, Italy, 1960s
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in New York, NY
Aldo Londi Bitossi Horse Sculpture, Ceramic, Italy, 1960s. Medium scale horse with white glaze over a coarse matte brown raw clay. Small indentation to r...
Ceramic
$380
H 3.25 in W 6.25 in D 2.5 in
Bitossi Rimini Blue Ceramic Bull Sculpture by Aldo Londi, Italy, 1960s
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
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
1960s Aldo Londi for Bitossi Italian Ceramic Fish Serving Dish
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Delray Beach, FL
A whimsical and beautifully crafted Italian ceramic fish serving dish designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, circa 1960s. Expertly handmade and hand glazed in Italy, featuring a sculptu...
Ceramic
$913
H 5.91 in W 5.91 in D 3.55 in
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Ceramic Horse Figurine, Blue Italian Ceramic, 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Vintage Bitossi ceramic figurine designed by Aldo Londi (1911-2003). The horse figurine is made of chamotte clay decorated with a incised geometric pattern covered in turquoise-blue ...
Ceramic
$2,259
H 6.7 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Rimini Blu Ceramic Horse Sculpture by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy, 1960s
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Milan, IT
Ceramic standing horse sculpture by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. Blue crystalline glaze enhancing the details of the decoration.
Ceramic
$490
H 5.52 in W 7.88 in D 4.34 in
Beautiful 1960s ceramic fish money box by Aldo Londi for Bitossi Italy
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in München, DE
Beautiful decorative 1960s ceramic fish money box. The design is by the renowned Italian artist and painter Aldo Londi. Manufactured by Bitossi. Made in Italy. Still with the origina...
Ceramic
Vintage Blue Ceramic Ashtray Handcrafted in Italy by Aldo Londi 1950
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Blue Ceramic Ashtray Handcrafted in Italy by Aldo Londi 1950 Round "Rimini Blu" enameled terra cotta cigar ashtray by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. Handcrafted in Italy with hand c...
Stoneware
$546Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.52 in Dm 6.89 in
Mid-Century Italian Ceramic Vase by Aldo Londi for Bitossi
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in London, GB
Mid-century decorative vase by Aldo Londi for Bitossi (circa 1960s). From their 'Sahara' range, the colours chosen were intended to be reminiscent of the desert, including the sun, s...
Ceramic
Rare Aldo Londi for Bitossi Floor Vase, Italian Ceramic
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
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
1960s small Rimini Blue ceramic vase by Aldo Londi for Bitossi Italy
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in München, BY
Decorative 1960s ceramic vase from the Rimini Blue collection. The design is by the renowned Italian artist and painter Aldo Londi. Manufactured by Bitossi. Made in Italy. Aldo Lond...
Ceramic
Italian Ceramic Bowl by Aldo Londi for Bitossi
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1970’s Italian large ceramic “ Rimini Blue” bowl designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. Large statement bowl that can be placed as a catch all oar for fruit. It’s marked made in Italy ...
Ceramic
$535
H 5.91 in W 3.94 in D 4.34 in
Bitossi Rimini Blu Ceramic Decorative Desk Organizer by Aldo Londi, Italy 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Mid-Century ceramic decorative piece or desk organizer in the iconic and vibrant Rimini Blu color. This lovely and unique piece was designed by Aldo Londi and produced by B...
Ceramic
$1,940
H 12.21 in W 12.21 in D 5.12 in
Midcentury Horse Sculpture Glazed Ceramic by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury beautiful horse sculpture in glazed ceramic by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. Made in Italy in the 1960s.
Ceramic
Bitossi Ceramic Vase by Aldo Londi
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Chicago, IL
Bitossi ceramic vase by Aldo Londi.
Ceramic
$1,160Sale Price|20% Off
H 2 in W 4.38 in D 6 in
1960s Bitossi Aldo Londi Italian Red Ceramic Box Italy
By Bitossi
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Italian Red Black decorative ceramic pottery box geometric relief attributed to Bitossi Aldo Londi Stamped Italy 6 x 4.38 x 2 H inches Presentation unrestored original vintage ...
Pottery, Ceramic