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.
$4,480Sale Price|20% Off
Aldo Londi Bitossi Kwan Yin, Ceramic, Blue Buddha Bust
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Aldo Londi Bitossi Kwan Yin, Ceramic, Buddha Bust, Blue. Beautiful and calming female Buddha glazed in a vibrant dark blue. It is believed that to have a picture or statue of Kwan Yi...
Ceramic
Bitossi Kwan Yin Buddha Sculpture by Aldo Londi, Mid-Century Modern
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Bitossi Kwan Yin Buddha, ceramic, white, black. Medium scale Kwan Yin Buddha finish in a textured white "Cinese" glaze. Aldo Londi's "Cinese" series o...
Ceramic
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Kwan Yin Buddha Rimini Blu, Italy, 1970s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Kwan Yin Buddha Rimini Blu, Italy, 1970s Gorgeous female Buddha made of shiny glazed ceramic pottery in a vibrant Rimini blue color. According to one legend, ...
Ceramic, Pottery
$3,360Sale Price|40% Off
Aldo Londi Bitossi Kwan Yin Buddha, Ceramic, Caramel Brown, Paisley
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Aldo Londi Bitossi Kwan Yin Buddha, Ceramic, Caramel Brown, Paisley. Beautiful and soothing Kwan Yin bust glazed in caramel brown with a hint of green in...
Ceramic
$2,800Sale Price|50% Off
Aldo Londi Bitossi Buddha Bust, Ceramic, Blue, Gold, Rosenthal Netter, Signed
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi, Rosenthal Netter
Located in New York, NY
Aldo Londi Bitossi Buddha Bust, Ceramic, Blue, Gold, Rosenthal Netter, Signed. Medium scale blue and gold glazed ceramic Buddha bust from Aldo Londi's Cinese series. Aldo Londi's "Ci...
Ceramic
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
Bitossi Kwan Yin Buddha Coin Bank, Ceramic, Blue, Green Paisley, Signed
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Bitossi Kwan Yin Buddha Bank, Ceramic, Blue Paisley, Signed. A beautiful and calming female Buddha glazed in a royal blue, with a hint of green in her...
Ceramic
Aldo Londi Bitossi Kwan Yin Buddha, Ceramic, Cinese Blue
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful and calming female Buddha — Goddess of Mercy and Compassion — glazed in Bitossi's Cinese (Chinese) finish — a muted, textured lava glaze in soft turquoise blue. Londi's att...
Ceramic
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Mid Century Blue Buddha Bust
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Mid Century Blue Buddha Bust This bust measures: 5.5 wide x 6.75 deep x 11.25 inches high This price includes getting this piece/set in what we call Restored...
Ceramic
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
Aldo Londi Bitossi Rimini Blue Glazed Fish Sculpture Figurine, Italy, 1950s
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful, decorative midcentury Rimini blue glazed fish sculpture. Designed by Aldo Londi, manufactured by Bitossi Ceramiche / Italy in the 19...
Ceramic, Stoneware, Terracotta
$812
H 3.15 in W 9.85 in D 2.56 in
Signed Montelupo for Bitossi Sausage Dog in Blue "Rimini" Ceramic, Italy 1960s
By Bitossi, Flavia Montelupo
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous wiener dog sculpture from the "Rimini Blu" collection by Flavia Montelupo for Bitossi. This lovely and rare sculpture was designed by Flavia Montelupo and produced by Bitoss...
Ceramic, Pottery
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
Mid-Century Bitossi Stambecchi by Aldo Londi
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
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
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
$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
$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
$1,900
H 10.5 in W 4.75 in D 10.5 in
Mid-Century Italian Modern Bitossi Ceramic Blue Horse Pottery by Aldo Londi
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
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
$458Sale 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
$520
H 3.75 in W 9.75 in D 2.38 in
Bitossi Rimini Blue Ceramic Sausage Dog Dachshund Sculpture by Aldo Londi, Italy
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
$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
Sold
H 23.63 in W 11.03 in D 5.52 in
Bitossi Ceramic Busts 'Mother and Daughter' - Exquisite 1970s Artistry
By Bitossi
Located in Brescia, Brescia
Elevate your home decor with this exceptional pair of ceramic busts titled "Mother and Daughter," crafted by Bitossi in the 1970s. These stunning pieces exemplify the exquisite arti...
Ceramic
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Ceramic Buddha Head
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in San Francisco, CA
Aldo Londi Bitossi Buddha bust, ceramic, orange, gold, Rosenthal Netter, signed. Medium scale Buddha bust from Aldo Londi's Cinese series. The Buddha's face is glazed in a textured orange with its a hair and ushnisha glazed in a slightly lighter shade. The bust is mounted on a gilt glazed plinth base which is decorated with rows of impressed spiral circles. Signed on an interior wall of base "52/12 B Italy". Additionally, retains a Rosenthal Netter paper label which reads: "Created in Italy for Rosenthal Netter Inc." Excellent vintage condition! Master Italian ceramist...
Ceramic
Sold
H 11.75 in W 5.38 in D 6.75 in
Aldo Londi Bitossi Buddha Bust, Ceramic, Blue, Gold, Rosenthal Netter, Signed
By Aldo Londi, Rosenthal Netter, Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Aldo Londi Bitossi Buddha bust, ceramic, blue, gold, Rosenthal Netter, signed. Medium scale Buddha bust from Aldo Londi's Cinese series. The Buddha's fa...
Ceramic
Sold
H 13.39 in W 5.52 in D 5.91 in
Vintage Italian Kwan Yin Figurine by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Italian Kwan Yin Figurine byt Aldo Londi for Bitossi, 1960s Aldo Londi for Bitossi Buddha head on plinth in blue glaze ceramic with hints of gre...
Ceramic
Aldo Londi Bitossi Kwan Yin, Ceramic, Buddha Bust, Blue
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Aldo Londi Bitossi Kwan Yin, Ceramic, Buddha Bust, Blue. Beautiful and calming female Buddha glazed in a vibrant dark reflex blue. According to one le...
Ceramic
Aldo Londi Bitossi Kwan Yin Buddha, Ceramic, Bust, Blue, Green
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Bitossi Kwan Yin Buddha, ceramic, blue, green. Beautiful Kwan Yin bust glazed in dark blue with a hint of green in her tiara. Her base is decorated wi...
Ceramic, Pottery
Aldo Londi Bitossi Kwan Yin Buddha, Ceramic, Blue, Signed
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Aldo Londi Bitossi Kwan Yin Buddha, ceramic, blue, signed. Beautiful and calming female Buddha glazed in a textured Cinese (Chinese) blue. Signed on t...
Ceramic
Aldo Londi Bitossi Kwan Yin Blue Bust, Ceramic, Buddha, Signed
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Aldo Londi Bitossi Kwan Yin blue bust, ceramic, Buddha, signed. Beautiful and calming female Buddha glazed in a vibrant dark blue. Retains original pa...
Ceramic
Bitossi Buddha, Ceramic Blue Gold
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Bitossi Buddha, ceramic blue gold. The Buddha is glazed in a textured blue and green and mounted on a gilt glazed base which features a pattern of impre...
Ceramic
Cyan Blue Ceramic Kwan Yin Buddha Bust by Bitossi for Rosenthal Netter
By Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Retains original Rosenthal Netter paper label. Heavy clay construction with glossy cyan glaze.