Bitossi Ceramics
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.
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Item type: Antique and Vintage
Creator: Bitossi
Mid-Century Bitossi Vase by Aldo Londi
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Mid-century pattern Vetrata vase by Aldo Londi for Bitossi Italy. Black, blue, orange and yellow on a brushed background.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bitossi Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Ceramic Box by Aldo Londi Bitossi, Italy, Orange with Gold Decoration, C 1960
By Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Decorative ceramic box by Aldo Londi Bitossi, Italy, circa 1960. Signed at the bottom, 79/11, Italy.
Organic designs on the lid with gold decorations.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bitossi Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Aldo Londi Bitossi Rimini Blue Glazed Ceramic Rectangular Ashtray Empy Pocket
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Barcelona, ES
Italian Midcentury Aldo Londi Bitossi Rimini blue glazed ceramic rectanular ashtray or bowl, Italy, 1950-1960s.
Beautiful blue glazed (...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bitossi Ceramics
Materials
Pottery, Terracotta, Ceramic
Italian Sculpture Bird Bitossi Design 1960 Black and Blu Ceramic
By Bitossi
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Italian sculpture bird Bitossi Design 1960 black and blu ceramic.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bitossi Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Ceramic Vase by Aldo Londi Bitossi, Orange with Gold Decoration, Italy, C 1960
By Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Ceramic vase by Aldo Londi Bitossi, Italy, circa 1960. Cylinder vase with orange glaze and organic style decorations in gold color. Signature at the bottom, 79/3.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bitossi Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Bitossi, Twin Handled Gold Crackle Glazed Ceramic Bowl, Italy, circa 1950's
By Bitossi
Located in Chatham, ON
Bitossi- Rare mid century studio ceramic twin handled bowl - striking gold crackle glaze to the interior reveals multi colored glazes beneath - thick glossy black glaze to the handle...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bitossi Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Vintage Italian Bitossi Studio Pottery Ashtray
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in San Diego, CA
Ashtray produced in the 1960s by Bitossi, based on a design by Aldo Londi. This piece is a rare abstract fat lava glaze textured piece. A truly unique piece that will add style to yo...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bitossi Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Aldo Londi Bitossi Rimini Blue Glazed Ceramic Square Ashtray, Italy, 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Barcelona, ES
Amazing blue glazed (Rimini Blu) ceramic ashtray design by Aldo Londi and manufactured by Bitossi. Handcrafted in Italy with hand carved geometric design and in a glazed vibrant turquoise and cobalt blue, Italy, 1950s-1960s.
Marked Italy at the back.
Measures: 15 cm W x 15 cm D x 3 cm H ( 5,90 in W x5,90 in D x 1,18 in H )
About Bitossi (Manufacturer)
Like a Fellini movie, the ceramics of this famed Italian company embody a creative spectrum that ranges from the playful and earthy to the high-minded and provocative. Based in Florence, Bitossi Ceramiche draws on craft traditions that date back to the 1500s. These find expression in the artisanal 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.
The company 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 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. Starting in the 1950s, some 20 years before he founded the Memphis Postmodern design...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bitossi Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery, Terracotta
Ceramic Vase by Aldo Londi Bitossi, Orange/Gold Trim, Mid-Century, Italy, C 1960
By Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Ceramic vase by Aldo Londi Bitossi, Italy, C 1960, signed. Cylinder vase glazed in orange with gold details.
Signed on the bottom, 79/2, Italy.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bitossi Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Bitossi Aldo Londi Rimini Blue Glazed Ceramic Square Ashtray, Italy, 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Barcelona, ES
Small 'Rimini blu', blue glazed terracotta ceramic squared ashtray. Design by Aldo Londi and manufactured by Bitossi. Italy, 1950s-1960s.
Handcrafted in Italy with hand carved geomet...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bitossi Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery, Terracotta
Tall Aldo Londi for Bitossi Patchwork Vase
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Garnerville, NY
Tall and elegant geometric patchwork decorated vase in black, gray, white and yellow glazes. Fully signed on bottom, B 105, Italy (Italy). Aldo Londi for Bitossi, circa 1950-1960. Go...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bitossi Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
Brushed Metallic Ceramic Vase by Bitossi
By Bitossi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern ceramic vase by Bitossi features a metallic gold and gun metal glaze.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bitossi Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Bitossi Aldo Londi Rimini Blue Glazed Ceramic Large Square Ashtray
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Barcelona, ES
Signed Large Rimini blue Mid-Century Modern ashtray. It has 3 cigar or cigarette holders and it is made in blue glazed terracotta ceramic, designed by Aldo Londi and manufactured by ...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bitossi Ceramics
Materials
Pottery, Terracotta, Ceramic
Bitossi Raymor Postmodern Catch-it-all Ceramic Bowl in Glossy Finish
By Raymor, Bitossi
Located in San Diego, CA
Versatile catch-it-all ceramic bowl made in Italy, circa 1980's black glossy finish with green decorative lines, great condition no chips or cracks signed Italy at the bottom.
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Bitossi Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Bitossi Aldo Londi Scavo Guan Yin Head, Italy, circa 1965
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Pymble, NSW
An Aldo Londi designed Scavo glazed Guan Yin head, Goddess of Compassion, Mercy and Kindness. The glaze is reminiscent of an excavated ancient stone sculpture.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bitossi Ceramics
Materials
Pottery
Bitossi Vase, Ceramic, Moorish Stripes, Brown, Chartreuse, Orange, Signed
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Bitossi vase, ceramic, Moorish stripes, brown, chartreuse and orange, signed. Small low vase from Aldo Londi's Moorish Stripes series with chartreuse and orange glaze over coarse bro...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bitossi Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Midcentury Aldo Londi Blue Glazed "Rimini" Ceramic Ashtray, Bitossi Italy, 1960s
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful and large round midcentury ashtray in blue glazed ceramic (Rimini Blu). This amazing piece was designed by Aldo Londi and produced by Bitossi in Italy during 1960s.
Thi...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bitossi Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
George J. Sowden, Bitossi Ceramiche Handmade Limited Edition Clay Triangle Vase
By George Sowden, Bitossi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
George J. Sowden, Bitossi Ceramiche Handmade Limited Edition Clay Triangle Vase. Numbered 057/299.
George J. Sowden is a designer with experience in ...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Bitossi Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Bitossi Vetrata Pattern Covered Box by Aldo Londi, Italy, circa 1965
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Pymble, NSW
An Aldo Londi designed 'Vetrata' pattern covered box in orange, yellow and brown. Lovely bright condition.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bitossi Ceramics
Materials
Pottery
Bitossi 'Spagnoli' Pattern Mirror Frame, Aldo Londi, Italy, circa 1965
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Pymble, NSW
A rare circular mirror frame designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi in the mid-1960s. 'Spagnoli' pattern in blue.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bitossi Ceramics
Materials
Pottery
Mid Century Italian Yellow Green Orange Ceramic Vase by Bitossi, 1950s
By Bitossi
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Vase by Bitossi Italy 1950s in typical midcentury colors.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bitossi Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Bitossi for Raymor Chunky and Oversized Ashtray/ Cachepot
By Bitossi, Raymor
Located in East Hampton, NY
Wonderful rich blue base and grayish white top glazed ceramic ashtray. So many beautiful details to this large round bowl.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bitossi Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Aldo Londi Bitossi Beige Glazed Ceramic Round Wall Mirror with Leaf Motifs
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Barcelona, ES
Round wall mirror by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, beige glazed ceramic and leaf motifs, Italy, 1960s.
Italian Mid-Century Modernist handcrafted beige-taupe terracotta glazed ceramic circular mirror...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bitossi Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery, Mirror, Terracotta
Bitossi Aldo Londi Female Figure Bowl, Italy, circa 1960
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Pymble, NSW
A large deep bowl decorated in matt glazes of yellows and ochres with three clothed female figures, in excellent condition. A rare early piece with a Danish shop's label to the base.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bitossi Ceramics
Materials
Pottery
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Rimini Blu Vase and Lidded Jar with Floral Decoration
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This ceramic vase and lidded jar were designed by Aldo Londi, art director for Bitossi ceramiche in Montelupo, Italy. Both pieces feature large stylized flowers and have been finished in Bitossi's rich Rimini blu glaze reminiscent of the Adriatic. The underside of the jar and vase bear stamped and hand-painted manufacturer marks and retain their original Rosenthal-Netter paper labels.
The lidded jar measures 16.5" tall with the lid, 5.5" wide at the base and 4.5" across at the mouth.
The vase stands 8.5" tall, 6.5" at its widest point and 4.375" across at the mouth and foot. The combined set is substantial and weighs 10lbs.
A great addition to an existing Bitossi collection...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bitossi Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Bitossi Aldo Londi Fish Pattern Lamp Base Italy, circa 1968
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Pymble, NSW
An Aldo Londi designed large rectangular lamp base with 5 medallions on the front blue panel, each decorated with an incised double fish motif under a crackled fritte glaze...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bitossi Ceramics
Materials
Pottery
Bitossi Aldo Londi Cylinder Vase Purple Motifs, Italy, circa 1970
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Pymble, NSW
A large cylindrical vase with shaped top and the brown manganese body is decorated with purple acid resist circular motifs. Designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi.
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bitossi Ceramics
Materials
Pottery
Bitossi Aldo Londi Very Rare Lamp Base, Italy, 1965
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Pymble, NSW
A very large and extremely rare lamp base by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy, circa 1964. The pattern is Persian Blu glazed and manganese brown body, with sgraffito cross-banded lines,...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bitossi Ceramics
Materials
Pottery
Rimini Blue Ceramic Sculpture by Aldo Londi for Bitossi 1950s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
A wonderful piece made by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. A sweet little dachshund in the iconic colours of Rimini Blu.
Aldo Londi (1911–2003) was an Italian designer who is best known for...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bitossi Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Bitossi ceramics for sale on 1stDibs.
Bitossi ceramics 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 ceramics, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 84 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 10 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original ceramics by Bitossi were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider ceramics by Aldo Londi, Alvino Bagni, and Fratelli Brambilla. Prices for Bitossi ceramics can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $225 and can go as high as $8,010, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $950.
Creators Similar to Bitossi
Questions About Bitossi Ceramics
- What is Bitossi's style?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024Bitossi'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 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022No, 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 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024No, 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.
- How do you identify a Bitossi?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024To 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024The 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.