Aldo Londi for Bitossi Rimini Blu Meridian Clock
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Aldo Londi for Bitossi Rimini Blu Meridian Clock
About the Item
- Creator:
- Dimensions:Height: 1.13 in (2.88 cm)Diameter: 14 in (35.56 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950-1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Some white enamel missing from aluminum minute and hour hands. The pottery is in excellent condition; no chips, cracks, crazing or restorations. Battery clock works are in running condition. The hour hand is a little loose and needs tightening.
- Seller Location:Garnerville, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: ARCR07.25.16.11stDibs: LU123625173343
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.
- Tall Aldo Londi for Bitossi Patchwork VaseBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated in Garnerville, NYTall and elegant geometric patchwork decorated vase in black, gray, white and yellow glazes. Fully signed on bottom, B 105, Italy (Italy). Aldo Londi for Bitossi, circa 1950-1960. Go...Category
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- Milo Baughman for James Incorporated Upholstered ArmchairBy James Inc., Thayer Coggin, Milo BaughmanLocated in Garnerville, NYEarly Milo Baughman for James Incorporated, High Point, NC. Amazing original royal blue wool upholstery with walnut platform base and legs. Ori...Category
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- George Nelson Meridian Wall Clock Rimini Blue Face by Aldo Londi for BitossiBy Bitossi, George Nelson, Aldo LondiLocated in Brooklyn, NY“Meridian” clock designed by George Nelson for the Howard Miller Clock Company. Face is made of “Rimini Blue” Italian ceramic designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, battery operated.Category
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- Aldo Londi for Bitossi Rimini Blu Large Ceramic HorseBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated in Miami, FLTall Italian handmade ceramic horse sculpture in the vibrant signature blue of Aldo Londi's iconic art pottery collection Rimini Blu, originally designed in 1959 for Bitossi Ceramich...Category
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- Aldo Londi for Bitossi Rimini Blu Wide-Mouthed VaseBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated in Littleton, COA wide-mouthed terracotta ceramic vase designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi in Italy during the late 1950s or early 1960s. Handcrafted in Italy with hand-stamped spectacular geometric...Category
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- Aldo Londi for Bitossi Tall Ceramic Vase in Rimini BluBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated in Philadelphia, PAAldo Londi for Bitossi 18" round vase in Rimini Blu. Nice size and shape! Nice incised design throughout surface. Retains original Raymor Label to underside.Category
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- Bitossi Aldo Londi Rimini Blu Ceramic Vase, Italy, 1960sBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated in Barcelona, ESRare design by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. Rimini Blue ceramic footed vase with geometric motifs, Italy, 1960s This stunning glazed ceramic vase has a pattern with circles in dark blue with rhombus inside in shades of green / turquoise color accented by decorative flowers. Excellent vintage condition. This piece is perfect as a gift idea and it could placed alone or with other 'Rimini Blu'Bitossi pieces creating a set. Display it in a cabinet or on a console table, with flowers or just as a cool decorative vase. Measures: 22 cm height x 18 cm diameter (8,66 in height X 7,08 in diameter ) More Bitossi Aldo Londi pieces are avaliable at our 1stdibs marketplace. 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
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$1,119 Sale Price20% Off - Large Rimini Blu Ceramic Horses by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, a PairBy Bitossi, Raymor, Aldo LondiLocated in Miami, FLImposing pair of Italian handmade ceramic horse sculptures in the vibrant signature blue of Aldo Londi's iconic art pottery collection Rimini Blu, originally designed in 1959 for Bit...Category
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$1,260 Sale Price / set30% Off