Bitossi Italy for Raymor Ceramic and Glass Mosaic Ashtray, Catchall Mid Century
About the Item
- Creator:Aldo Londi (Designer),Bitossi (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 1.75 in (4.45 cm)Width: 10.75 in (27.31 cm)Depth: 7.25 in (18.42 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. A couple very small chippies, overall very nice condition.
- Seller Location:Philadelphia, PA
- Reference Number:
Aldo Londi
Master Italian ceramist Aldo Londi created a range of decorative objects in the latter half of the 20th century for the manufacturer Bitossi. In addition to the small-scale animal sculptures for which he is best known, Londi designed a variety of ceramics for the famed company that includes vases, bowls and desk accessories. Collectors know that vintage Aldo Londi pottery is marked by deep attention to detail and an integration of rich, alluring hues typically associated with the Mediterranean.
Londi was born in Montelupo Fiorentino, just outside of Florence, an area that has been known for its pottery since the Renaissance. Londi showed an early interest in the craft, apprenticing at the Fratelli Fanciullacci ceramic workshop when he was only 11 years old. He worked at the company until he left to fight in World War II. After returning to Montelupo Fiorentino in 1946, Londi became the creative director at Bitossi — a position he held for more than 50 years.
Londi's fresh and unique style breathed new life into Bitossi. He prioritized the production of high-quality and handmade decorative objects and created many of Bitossi's pottery lines himself. The most famous of Londi's Bitossi collections is the Rimini Blu line of animals and vases, which debuted in 1955. The collection is characterized by geometric and whimsical patterns and is recognizable for its marvelous blue color.
Londi's fame and popularity extended outside of Italy with the help of Raymor. The American import and distribution company introduced many esteemed Italian manufacturers such as Bitossi to boutiques and department stores in the United States. After Raymor founder Irving Richards hired Ettore Sottsass to design ceramics, Richards connected his new recruit to Londi. Decades before he founded a legendary postmodern design collective in Milan called the Memphis Group, Sottsass used the Bitossi kilns to create timeless works that manifest both primitive forms and modern geometries.
In 2021, Bitossi opened the Bitossi Archive Museum at its Montelupo Fiorentino headquarters. Many of the works designed by the company's most esteemed contributor and artistic director, Aldo Londi, are proudly displayed.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Aldo Londi serveware, lighting, decorative objects and more.
Bitossi
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 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.
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 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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Clifton Heights, PA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Bitossi for Rosenthal Netter Ceramic Vase Onion Pattern Earth Tones Mid CenturyBy BitossiLocated in Philadelphia, PAUnusual Rosenthal Netter vase by Bittosi in the rare onion pattern red, yellow, green, and brown.Category
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- Mid Century Italian Post Modern Bitossi Ceramic Planter or Vase after SottsassBy Bitossi, Goodfellow & SonsLocated in Philadelphia, PAA funky post modern design from Bitossi and produced by Goodfellow circa 1970's. Very much in the style of Ettore Sottsass. It features all ceramic form with beautiful bright colors.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Planters, Cachepots and Jardini...
MaterialsCeramic
- Signed Large Mid Century Italian Glazed Ceramic Frog or Toad in White BitossiBy BitossiLocated in Philadelphia, PAA very large ceramic floor sculpture from Italy circa 1970's. It features white glazed ceramic form. Marked & numbered. No condition issues.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
MaterialsCeramic
- Aldo Londi for Bitossi Large Table Lamp with Multicolored Ceramics Mid CenturyBy BitossiLocated in Philadelphia, PAAldo Londi Bitossi Italian pottery lamp. Long necked pottery element with raised blocks in orange, brown, white and black glaze. This lamp has had a total restoration including new h...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic
- Mid-Century Modern Large Clear Glass Block & Chrome Table Lamp by RaymorBy RaymorLocated in Philadelphia, PAA nicely made table lamp produced by Raymor circa 1970's. It features a large glass block base with chrome details. Wiring is good and it's tested and working. Shade not included, ju...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsChrome
- 1950s Mid-Century Ceramic Mosaic Sunburst Pair Side or End Tables Brass FramesBy Edward WormleyLocated in Philadelphia, PAIn the style of Gordon & Marshall Martz, Edward Wormley, or Samson Berman, this pair of truly vintage side tables is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. The tops...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsBrass
- 60s Italian Ceramic and Fused Glass Mosaic Ashtray / Tray by Bitossi for RaymorBy Aldo Londi, Bitossi, RaymorLocated in North Miami, FLThis large 1960s Italian Aldo Londi-attributed textured ceramic ashtray by Bitossi dazzles in the sheer number of fused glass colors achieved in its "fritte" tile mosaic interior. Im...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays
MaterialsCeramic, Art Glass
- Bitossi Green and Purple Ceramic Catchall Ashtray for RaymorBy Bitossi, RaymorLocated in Miami, FLBitossi Ceramiche ceramic ashtray or catchall, circa 1960s, with a Brutalist aesthetic. Handmade in Italy. The heavily textured, partially glazed, multi color pottery...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays
MaterialsCeramic, Pottery, Stoneware
- Bitossi for Raymor Chunky and Oversized Ashtray/ CachepotBy Bitossi, RaymorLocated in East Hampton, NYWonderful rich blue base and grayish white top glazed ceramic ashtray. So many beautiful details to this large round bowl.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays
MaterialsCeramic
- Vintage Italian Bitossi Studio Pottery AshtrayBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in San Diego, CAAshtray 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
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
MaterialsCeramic
- Aldo Londi Ceramic, Pottery Ashtray for Bitossi, Geometric, Mondrian, PatternBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in Los Angeles, CAVery elegant design in this ashtray by the well known artist/designer Aldo Londi.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Modern Ashtrays
MaterialsCeramic
- Aldo Londi Bitossi Rimini Blue Glazed Ceramic Square Ashtray, Italy, 1960sBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in Barcelona, ESAmazing 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 Ceramics
MaterialsCeramic, Pottery, Terracotta