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 Majolica Ceramic Jug Goemetrical decor Pattern Blue and Green Circa 1960
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
It is a hand painted ceramic pitcher in green and Blue color. It was made in the 1960s in Italy. It represents a bird with Goemetrical decor Pattern. By Aldo londi for Bitossi.
Ceramic
Handmade Rimini Blue Lacquered Ceramic Jug by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Handmade in Italy, 1970s. This jug is made in Rimini blue lacquered ceramic. It is a vintage item, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered as in excell...
Ceramic
Rare Bitossi Pitcher Vase Sgraffito Flower Decor Blue Green
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Rare and unusual pitcher vase with abstract sgraffito decor was made by Bitossi Ceramiche; it is very similar in style to pieces that were designed for Bitossi by Aldo Londi. It is ...
Ceramic, Pottery, Majolica
Handmade Brown Lacquered Earthenware Pitcher by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Handmade in Italy, 1970s. This jug is made in lacquered earthenware with brown and orange shades, which are rare colors. It is a vintage item, therefore it might show slight traces o...
Earthenware
$1,065Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.09 in Dm 5.71 in
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 for Bitossi Large Vase
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Stunning large vase designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, features a seta design in rare "Lobster" colors. Measures: 16” tall 5” wide.
Ceramic
Minton Majolica Acorn and Snail Jug/pitcher
By Minton
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica jug/pitcher which features oak leaves and acorns to the sides and a snail to the handle. Colouration: brown, green, ochre, are predominant. The piece bears maker's ma...
Majolica
Minton Majolica Cellini Ewer Jug
By Minton
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica ewer with a mythological theme which features putti, birds and vine fruits. The ewer has a tapered neck, with mask head and Sphinx handle. Sits on circular fluted foo...
Majolica
Bitossi by Aldo Londi Chamotte Ball Vase, Italy, 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Valencia, VC
Aldo Londi for Bitossi – Ceramic Vase with “Palmetto” Décor, Italy, ca. 1960s Spherical ceramic vase designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Montelupo Fiorentino. Handcrafted in chamott...
Enamel
Large Bitossi Ceramic Vase by Aldo Londi
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Chicago, IL
Bitossi ceramic vase by Aldo Londi.
Ceramic
$2,200
H 12.05 in W 5.63 in D 4.14 in
Huge Italian Vintage Ceramic Rhimini Blue Vase Aldo Londi for Bitossi, C. 1960
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Beautiful and rare tall 30cm/12" embossed vase in vibrant 'Rhimini' blue and turquoise by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, circa 1968. A great piece of vintage, mid-century handmade Italian pottery. Very rare size to find. Shape number 727/30. We have more rare Bitossi...
Ceramic, Clay
$983Sale Price|35% Off
H 12.6 in Dm 7.88 in
Bitossi Large Ceramic Vase by Aldo Londi, Mid-Century Modern, 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Valencia, VC
Rare Bitossi for Ceramiche Paoli Large Vase – Mid-Century Neolithic-Inspired Design A striking example of Aldo Londi’s masterful work, this large ceramic vase embodies the timeless influence of Neolithic utility pottery, reinterpreted through Bitossi’s signature craftsmanship. Featuring the iconic sgraffito hand decor, inspired by Etruscan ceramics, this piece is part of the Sahara line, distinguished by its earthy, textured aesthetic. Unlike the standard Bitossi Sahara...
Ceramic, Clay, Earthenware, Majolica, Stoneware
$393Sale Price|50% Off
H 8.27 in W 3.75 in D 3.75 in
Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Pitcher by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Valencia, VC
This gorgeous Italian vintage ceramic pitcher by Aldo Londi for Bitossi features a glazing central band of the Arabesque decor in two different shades of green and the house signature dark brown rough surface, so characteristic of the Bitossi production during the Mid-Century period. Handcrafted in Flavia Montelupo, Italy, circa the 1960s. Measurements: Height 21cm/ 8.25" Width 9.5cm/ 3.75" Depth 9.5cm/ 3.75" Weight 1.38kg The brick-shaped Bitossi by Aldo Londi pitchers...
Ceramic, Clay, Earthenware
$1,100
H 8.51 in W 3.35 in D 2.21 in
Italian Vintage Ceramic Rhimini Blue Vase by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, circa 1960
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Beautiful tall embossed vase in vibrant 'Rhimini' blue and turquoise by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, circa 1968. A great. piece of vintage, mid-century handmade Italian pottery. Shape number 727/21. We have more rare Bitossi...
Ceramic, Clay
$533Sale Price / set|46% Off
H 7.88 in Dm 5.91 in
Mid-Century Bitossi by Aldo Londi Set of Ceramics, Handmade in Italy, 1960s
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Valencia, VC
Vintage Italian Bitossi by Aldo Londi Mid-Century set of ceramic vase and pitcher. Featuring a gorgeous ¨Fascie Colorate¨ glazing décor. The vase/bottle in a deep olive green backgro...
Ceramic, Earthenware
Bitossi Aldo Londi Rimini Blu Signed XL Ceramic Pitcher , Italy 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Valencia, VC
Aldo Londi for Bitossi from the Rimini Blu range vintage ceramic pitcher, featuring the classical blue glazed rough surface and a large sunflower in both sides. Handcrafted in Flavia...
Ceramic
Vintage Italian Bitossi Aldo Londi Rimini Blu Ceramic Pitcher, Italy, 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Valencia, VC
Beautiful Italian vintage ceramic pitcher by Aldo Londi for Bitossi from the Rimini Blu range. Handcrafted in Flavia Montelupo, Italy, circa the 1960s. Measurements: Height 15cm / ...
Ceramic
Sold
H 10.75 in W 5 in D 4.5 in
Italian Modern Gold and White Glazed Ceramic Pitcher by Aldo Londi for Bitossi
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Glamorous vintage ceramic pitcher/ewer with incised design and hand-painted gold accents designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi (ca. 1950s, ltaly). The etched sgraffito linear pattern re...
Ceramic
Ceramic Pitcher by Bitossi
By Bitossi
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A fun 1960's ceramic pitcher by Bitossi, Italy. Yellow/orange, green and brown glaze with louvered edges add to the design character.
Ceramic
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
Sold
H 9 in W 7 in D 4.5 in
Mid Century Italian Modern Fratelli Fanciullacci Pottery Pitcher Vessel Birds
By Alvino Bagni, Aldo Londi, Fratelli Fanciullacci, Bitossi
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern Italian pottery pitcher vase made by Fratelli Fanciullacci in the early 1960s. With a matte brown glaze on the body and glossy...
Ceramic, Pottery
Italian Etched Ceramic Pitcher by Bitossi
By Bitossi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Italian ceramic white pitchers with geometric etched design by Bitossi. Stamped "Flavia Montelupo Italy" on bottom.
Ceramic
Fratelli Fanciullacci for Bitossi Italian Ceramic Vase, a Trio
By Fratelli Fanciullacci, Bitossi, Raymor
Located in Atlanta, GA
Beautiful 1950s Mid-Century Modern handcrafted and hand-decorated set of three vases by Fratelli Fanciullacci for Bitossi and imported by Raymor. Italian art ceramic two vases and on...
Ceramic, Pottery
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Rare "Scavo" Ceramic Bird Pitcher
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This ceramic bird pitcher was designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, when he was directing the ceramic factory based in Montelupo Fiorentino. It is from the ...
Ceramic
Seta Jug by Aldo Londi for Bitossi Italy 1957 Signed
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Melbourne, AU
Bitossi 'Seta' or 'Silk' jug designed by Aldo Londi in 1957, in production until 1965. Purple, lilac and white bands with gilt linear diamond glaze over incised (sgraffito) vertical lines. Gloss glaze in purple/lilac to interior. Base marked in black glazed text, 'AH12/23 Italy'. Documented: 'Alla Moda: Italian Ceramics of the 1950s-1970s, by Mark Hill...
Ceramic
Midcentury Ceramic Pitcher or Carafe by Bitossi, 'circa 1960s', Small
By Bitossi
Located in London, GB
Midcentury decorative ceramic pitcher or carafe by Bitossi in avocado green with orange accents, (circa 1960s). A stout and sturdy design with loads of charm and character. A very at...
Ceramic