1960s Aldo Londi Bitossi 'Blue Rimini' Clover Box, #10/20
About the Item
- Creator:Aldo Londi (Artist),Bitossi (Workshop/Studio)
- Dimensions:Height: 4 in (10.16 cm)Width: 8 in (20.32 cm)Depth: 2.25 in (5.72 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Richmond, VA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU9690238505412
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.
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Richmond, VA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- 1960s Modern Italian Marble and Brass Footed BoxLocated in Richmond, VAListed is a stunning, 1960s Italian marble and brass footed box. The piece has small, polished solid-brass balled feet at each corner with a larger, ball on the lid. Incredibly heavy...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Boxes
MaterialsMarble, Brass
- Limoges "The Songbirds of Springtime" Porcelain BoxBy LimogesLocated in Richmond, VAOffered is a beautiful, Early 21st Century, Limoges porcelain box from "The Songbirds of Springtime" collection; First Issue. The exterior features a gorgeous Songbird motif on the l...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Decorative Boxes
MaterialsPorcelain
- 19th Century European Inlaid Decorative Lap Desk BoxLocated in Richmond, VAOffered is an exquisite, 19th Century European lap desk box with abalone and wood inlay. Brass escutcheon and felt velvet lining. Does not include original key.Category
Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Decorative Boxes
MaterialsBrass
- Tessellated Bone Egg Box with Semi-Precious Cabochons JewelsLocated in Richmond, VAOffered is an exquisite, Early 20th Century, Tessellated Bone Box. This piece is adorned with 13 semi-precious cabochons jewels. It's a very unusual and unique shape and style. Hinge...Category
Early 20th Century International Style Decorative Boxes
MaterialsBrass
- 19th Century French Papier Mache Black, Red, and Gold Chinoiserie BoxLocated in Richmond, VAOffered is an excellent example of 19th century French papier mâché in the form of a square box, decorated with gold and red Chinoiserie scenes on black lacquer. While Eastern in des...Category
Antique 19th Century French Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
MaterialsWood, Paper
- 19th Century French Papier Mache Black, Red, and Gold Chinoiserie BoxLocated in Richmond, VAOffered is an excellent example of 19th century French papier mâché in the form of a square box, decorated with gold and red Chinoiserie scenes on black lacquer. While Eastern in des...Category
Antique 19th Century French Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
MaterialsWood, Paper
- 1960s Bitossi Box in Ceramic by Aldo Londi "Blue Rimini" CollectionBy Aldo LondiLocated in Milano, IT1960s Gorgeous Bitossi ceramic box by Aldo Londi, this box is part of "Blue Rimini" Collection, is signed and is in very good condition. Dimensions: 5,11" x 3,54" x 2,36" H inches ...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
MaterialsCeramic
- Bitossi Aldo Londi Rimini Blue Ceramic Vase, 1960sBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated 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...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic, Pottery, Terracotta
- Bitossi Aldo Londi Rimini Blue Ceramic Vase, 1960sBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated 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 central part. Its gorgeous shades of blue and the geometric design of the patterns make this vase a highly decorative piece from the Mid-Century Modern period. To create a set. Measures: 15,5 cm H x 9 cm diameter 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...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsPottery, Terracotta, Ceramic
- Bitossi Rimini by Aldo Londi Blue vase, Italy, 1960sBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated in Antwerp, BEMid-Century Modern blue glazed ceramic round vase, Italy, 1950-1960s. Designed by Aldo Londi and manufactured by Bitossi. Handcrafted in Ital...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- Sic Rimini Blu Glazed Ceramic Large Lidded Vessel / Box Bitossi Aldo Londi StyleBy SIC Ceramiche Artistiche, Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated in Barcelona, ESLarge Mid-Century Modern blue glazed ceramic (Rimini Blu) round lidded box , Manufactured by S.I.C Ceramiche Italy, 1950-1960s. It has reminiscences in those Rimini blue designs from Aldo Londi and Bitossi...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes
MaterialsCeramic, Pottery, Terracotta
- Aldo Londi for Bitossi Rimini Blue Tall Lidded Jar, 1960sBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in San Francisco, CAA striking and uncommon 1960s Rimini Blue tall ceramic jar with lid by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. Stylized apothecary jar form, with a gently tapered body, bulbous neck, and domed lid ...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Jars
MaterialsCeramic