Large bowl, Aldo Londi for Bitossi, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Bitossi (Manufacturer),Aldo Londi (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 5.52 in (14 cm)Diameter: 13.78 in (35 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950's
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Firenze, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU9510239020622
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: Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Aldo Londi, vaso serie Etrusco per BitossiBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in Firenze, ITAldo Londi, vaso serie Etrusco per Bitossi Vaso creato da Aldo Londi per Bitossi, della serie Etrusco in smalto bianco opaco. Realizzato negli anni 60.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- 6 chairs, Italian manufacture, 1950sLocated in Firenze, ITSet of 6 chairs made of oak wood and upholstered in black scai, Italian manufacture, late 1950s.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWood, Oak
- Reading armchair, Italian manufacture, 1950sLocated in Firenze, ITSingle reading armchair 1950s, work of Italian craftsmanship, sinuous shape, with typical ears on headrest, walnut legs.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood, Nutwood
- Large copper deco vase, Italian manufactureLocated in Firenze, ITLarge copper deco vase, Italian manufacture Stunning Italian-made brass and copper lobed vase, created in the 1930s, with classic copper and brass deco stylingsCategory
Vintage 1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsBrass, Copper
- Pair of majolica vases, Aetruriae Ars, 1960sLocated in Firenze, ITPair of majolica vases, produced by the Aetruriae Ars kiln in Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, in the 1960s. They present rather distinctive decorations with bi-anodized handles.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsMaiolica
- Piero Fornasetti, Set di due scatole da fumoBy Piero FornasettiLocated in Firenze, ITPiero Fornasetti, Set di due scatole da fumo Scatole in metallo smaltato e legno disegnate da Piero Fornasetti Anni 50 Il set è composto da una scatola porta sigari e una scatola ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
MaterialsMetal
- Aldo Londi for Bitossi Large Center ‘Fruit’ BowlBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated in St.Petersburg, FLLarge ceramic bowl by Aldo Londi in uncommon Seta Lobster. Impressive scale makes for a wonderful center bowl or fruit bowl. Measures: 13” long 10.5” wide 6.5” tall.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsCeramic
- Large Aldo Londi Bitossi Rimini Blue Glazed Ceramic Centerpiece Bowl, 1950sBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in Barcelona, ESItalian midcentury Aldo Londi Bitossi Rimini blue ceramic centerpiece bowl, Italy, 1950-1960s. Unusual large scale 14,17 in diameter Mid-Century Modern blue glazed ceramic (Rimini Bl...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces
MaterialsPottery, Terracotta, Ceramic
- Bitossi Aldo Londi Rimini Blue Glazed Ceramic Circular Bowl, Italy, 1950sBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in Barcelona, ESItalian midcentury Aldo Londi Bitossi Rimini blue glazed ceramic circular bowl. Italy, 1950-1960s. Beautiful blue glazed (Rimini Blu) round ceramic bowl or vide-poche designed by Ald...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsCeramic, Pottery, Terracotta
- Vintage Petite Ceramic Compote Bowl by Aldo Londi for BitossiBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in Chicago, ILAttractive vintage ceramic compote by Aldo Londi for Bitossi.Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsCeramic
- Aldo Londi Rimini Blue Ashtray for BitossiBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLVintage ashtray in signature Rimini blue glaze with leaf motif by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. Marked "Italy" on bottom. Artist: Aldo Londi Manufacturer: Bitossi Origin: Italy ...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-P...
MaterialsCeramic
- Aldo Londi for Bitossi Large Ashtray or Catchall, Italian CeramicBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated in St.Petersburg, FLLovely and large ashtray or catchall designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. Stunning colors and patterns. Well proportioned at 2.75” tall and 8.5” wide.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsCeramic