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.
Mirror by Aldo Londi for Bitossi
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Richmond, VA
Mid century round ceramic mirror designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. Made in Italy, circa 1960. Mirror is adorned with Londi's iconic stampwork in an unusual color combination of gre...
Ceramic
Aldo Londi Bitossi Mirror in Beige Ceramic with Leaves Pattern
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...
Pottery, Terracotta, Mirror, Ceramic
Illuminated mirror by Ernest Igl for Hillebrand
By Ernest Igl, Hillebrand
Located in Hannover, DE
A wall mirror with indirect lighting from the German manufacturer Hillebrand Lighting. It was manufactured in the 1970s. The frame contains four E14 light bulbs (max. 40W). The mirro...
Sheet Metal
Midcentury Walnut Mirror by Strata for Unagusta
By Unagusta
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Midcentury walnut mirror by Strata for Unagusta, sleek modern mirror, with inset 31"x 49" clear mirror. Can be hung horizontally or vertically.
Mirror, Walnut
Narciso model mirror by Sergio Mazza for Artemide, 1960s
By Sergio Mazza, Artemide
Located in SAN PIETRO MOSEZZO, NO
1960s mirror model "Narciso," design Sergio Mazza for Artemide. The mirror has a nickel-plated brass frame and is in excellent condition.
Brass
Rosewood Wall Mirror by Torbjørn Afdal for Bruksbo
By Bruksbo
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A finely crafted and proportioned wall mirror having a circular mirror centered in an expressive Brazilian rosewood frame with raised and beveled side rails.
Rosewood
Mirror in Gilded Metal with Vine Leaves Italy, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Italian mirror in gilded metal, 1960-1970s The flowers and leaves are softly arranged on a wire structure with a harmonious design in order to create a lively and elegant whole. ...
Metal
Antique French Eglomise Mirror with Gilded Leaves Frame
Located in South Salem, NY
Rectangular wall mirror within a gilt carved frame, originating in France circa late 19th century. Hand-carved frame is richly decorated with curling acanthus leaves and olive leaves...
Wood, Mirror
$850Sale Price|43% Off
H 48.5 in W 32.5 in D 1 in
Clean Lined Walnut Mirror by Kipp Stewart for Drexel
By Kipp Stewart
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean lined walnut mirror by Kipp Stewart for Drexel, American, circa 1950s. Retains it's warm original patina. Has been cleaned and Danish oiled. Can be hung vertically or horizonta...
Mirror, Walnut
Mid-Century French Ceramic Round Leaves Mirror
Located in Austin, TX
Mid-Century French Ceramic Round Leaves Mirror. Diameter / 11 inches.
Ceramic, Mirror
Square Raffia Mirror by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A square mahogany wall mirror with a woven raffia boarder.
Mahogany, Glass, Raffia
$1,795
H 34.25 in W 18.5 in D 3.5 in
Venetian Mirror with Handmade Leaves & Flowerets with Etched Glass
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous style that never grows old. Ornate Venetian Murano mirror with leafs and florets twisted rods and etched glass. Mostly clear with a hint of amber. In excellent condition wit...
Art Glass, Mirror
Mirror by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, 1950s
By Emil Stejnar, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Mid century wall mirror by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll. The mirror consists of an illuminated back with a large number of glass crystal glass flowers. 1950s - Austria Very good...
Murano Glass
Illuminated mirror by Ernest Igl for Hillebrand
By Ernest Igl, Hillebrand
Located in Hannover, DE
A wall mirror with indirect lighting from the German manufacturer Hillebrand Lighting. It was manufactured in the 1970s. The frame contains four E14 light bulbs (max. 40W). The mirro...
Sheet Metal
Sold
H 1.19 in Dm 14.3 in
Italian Midcentury Aldo Londi Bitossi Rimini Blue Glazed Ceramic Round Mirror
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Barcelona, ES
Italian Mid-Century Modern handcrafted blue terracotta glazed ceramic circular mirror with hand carved geometric designs in a vibrant turquoise...
Pottery, Terracotta, Mirror, Ceramic
Sold
H 1.19 in Dm 14.18 in
Unique Italian 1960s Bitossi Rimini Blue Glazed Ceramic Mirror by Aldo Londi
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Barcelona, ES
Italian handcrafted blue terracotta glazed ceramic mirror with hand-carved geometric designs in a vibrant turquoise and cobalt blue colors. Rimini blue collection designed by Aldo Lo...
Pottery, Terracotta, Mirror, Ceramic