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.
Italian Ceramic Pitcher and Four Tumblers by Bitossi
By Bitossi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning Italian drinking set by Bitossi. Pitcher and four cups. Marked Italy on underside. Excellent condition. Gorgeous blues and greens. Artwork for your tabletop. Measures: Pitc...
Ceramic
$446Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 0.5 in W 12 in D 8.5 in
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Galatix Hand Made Burma Teak Tea Service Set 6 & Tray
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful vintage Mid-Century Modern Galatix hand-made Burma teak tea service set of 6 glass inserts, 6 Burma teak cup vessels, and a Burma teak serving tray....
Glass, Teak
$486Sale Price|31% Off
H 12.21 in W 5.91 in D 4.73 in
Rimini Blue Ceramic Pitcher Vase by A. Londi and F. Montelupo for Bitossi
By Flavia Montelupo, Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
This is a Rimini blue vase from the 1970s. Made in Italy. It was designed by Aldo Londi and produced by Flavia Montelupo, also known as Bitossi. Bitos...
Ceramic
$216Sale Price|20% Off
H 9.06 in Dm 3.94 in
Mid Century Water or Juice Pot, Pitcher, Blue Glass, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
A lovely Mid-Century Modern blue glass Pot from the 1960s. Original vintage good condition. Only one unique piece.
Glass
White Onyx Espresso Coffee or Tea Demitasse Cup and Saucer
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Italian white onyx espresso coffee or tea demitasse cup and saucer set, circa 20th century, Italy. Cup and saucer are each mad...
Onyx
Arne Jacobsen Mid Century Modern Tea or Coffee Set in Stainless by Stelton
By Arne Jacobsen, Stelton
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A vintage tea set by Arne Jacobsen from Denmark circa 1960s. It features all stainless steel and Bakelite construction. Comes with all of the pieces shown and sold as a set.
Stainless Steel
$235Sale Price|20% Off
H 9.85 in Dm 4.73 in
Midcentury Porcelain Navy Blue Tea Coffee Service Jug and Cups, Poland, 1960
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Lovely Mid-Century Modern porcelain painted marble coffee set. Service for 6 people produced by Zaklady Porcelany in Wloclawek in the 1960s. The service consists of a jug, sugar b...
Enamel
Contemporary Italian White Ceramic Tumbler Decorated with Gold
By Ceramica Gatti 1928
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary modern tumblers/glasses of organic waved design, entirely handcrafted in high quality white ceramic for the interior and externally decora...
Gold
$1,770
H 8.67 in Dm 5.91 in
19th Century Collection Antique Arabian Tea Pots Market "Papillon" Thick Brass
Located in Vigonza, Padua
19th century collection of antique Arabian tea pots market "Papillon" in thick brass, hand embossed, and copper High respectively cm: 22, 20, 18.
Copper, Brass
$140Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 2.37 in Dm 3.15 in
Mid Century Porcelain White Lego Formula 1 Tea Coffee Service Cups, Poland, 1960
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Lovely Mid-Century Modern porcelain hand painted coffee set of two cups and two plates. Service for 2 people produced by Zaklady Porcelany in Tulowice in the 1960s. The service co...
Enamel
1930s Carnival Glass Pitcher and Tumbler Set
Located in Pueblo, CO
Westmoreland Glass, rare and beautiful color! Amethyst carnival glass pitcher and 6 tumblers, so chic iridescent peacock amethyst glass in the ...
Art Glass
White Ceramic Cactus Coffee Creamer Pitcher
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A small white ceramic cactus motif creamer pitcher. This piece will be a great addition to any breakfast table. The exterior has a spikey texture and re...
Ceramic
Italian Mid-century Travel Espresso Set Coffee Maker
Located in Weesp, NL
Beautiful and complete mid-century Italian Lucciola Espresso travel set with Espresso machine which works both on 12 and 220 volts, a detachable espre...
Metal
Italian Bitossi Ceramic Pitcher with Green and Gold Accents
By Bitossi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very nice Bitossi Ceramic Pitcher. One of the best color combinations and designs we have acquired. A compliment to any table or bar setting. The unique green with gold accents is ...
Ceramic
Set of Five Italian Ceramic Bird Bowls
By Bitossi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Interesting ceramic bowls in the shape of a bird. Great paint and coloring. Could be used as a bowl or small serving dish. Good vintage condition. Hand-sculpted and hand-painted. Mar...
Ceramic