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.
Marco Zanini 'Hollywood Collection' teapot and sugar bowl set for Bitossi 1980s
By Bitossi, Marco Zanini
Located in Antwerpen, Antwerp
Italian designer Marco Zanini was a founding member of the Memphis Group. After completing his studies in Florence and the United States, he returned to Italy and began collaborating...
Ceramic
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
Broccoli Fruit Bowl, by Marco Zanini from Memphis Milano
By Marco Zanini, Memphis Group, Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Ceramic three-level fruit bowl originally designed by Marco Zanini in 1985 for Memphis Milano. The three geometrical shapes in three colors complete the idea of a trilogy. Marco Zan...
Ceramic
$680 / set
H 4.34 in W 7.88 in D 4.93 in
Mid-Century Gio Ponti Silver Plated Set, tea Pot, sugar and bowl, for A. Krupp
By Gio Ponti, Arthur Krupp
Located in London, Fitzrovia
Gio Ponti, A large Mid-Century Silver Plated 75CL Tea Pot with sugar, breakfast bowl and a small dish, for Arthur Krupp. Designed for the VI triennale, 1930's to 1950's. dimensions ...
Metal
1980’s Memphis Coffee Set by Marco Zanini for Bitossi Italy
By Bitossi, Marco Zanini
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Beautiful set of a coffee pot, sugar bowl with lid, creamer and two coffee cups and saucers in glossy black and matte blue and glossy white details. The set from the Hollywood colle...
Ceramic
$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
$2,290 / item
H 9.06 in W 11.42 in D 11.82 in
Colorado Ceramic Teapot, by Marco Zanini from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Marco Zanini, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Colorado teapot in ceramic was originally designed by Marco Zanini in 1983. Marco Zanini was born in Trento in 1954. He graduated in architecture ...
Ceramic
Ceramic Tea Set by Mas for Memphis Milano, 1980s, Set of 7
By MAS Italia, Memphis Milano
Located in Catania, CT
Very good Vintage condition with normal trace of age and use for this white, red and black ceramic tea set with the original tray. Signed by MAS ...
Metal
Mid Century Pottery Chicken Tea Set - Teapot, Creamer, and Sugar Bowl
Located in Fairfield, CA
A mid century pottery tea set, made in Japan. Wonderful chicken design to each piece with orange-brown and green glazes. The set includes a teapot, creamer pitcher, and lidded sugar ...
Pottery
$3,850
H 7.25 in W 9.25 in D 7.75 in
Matteo Thun Nefertiti Teapot, Sugar bowl and Tuja Vase for Memphis Italy, 1981
Located in Kansas City, MO
Matteo Thun Nefertiti teapot, sugar bowl with Tuja vase for Memphis Milano, Italy, 1981. Glazed and gilt porcelain. Very good condition with no chips ...
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
Rigel Glass Bowl, by Marco Zanini for Memphis Milano Collection
By Marco Zanini, Memphis Group, Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Rigel Glass Bowl was originally designed by Marco Zanini in 1982. The piece features blue, black, green, red and clear glass with lid and ste...
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
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