Aldo Londi for Bitossi Vase / Urn
About the Item
- Creator:Aldo Londi (Designer),Bitossi (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 10 in (25.4 cm)Diameter: 8.5 in (21.59 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Ceramic,Glazed
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Francisco, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8244233126922
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 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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: San Francisco, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Aldo Londi for Bitossi Ceramic War HorseBy Aldo LondiLocated in San Francisco, CAAldo Londi's designs in ceramic for Bitossi took inspiration from a wide array of cultures and aesthetics all of which were given the distinctive "Londi touch". Richly textured and d...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
MaterialsCeramic
- 1980s Pop Art Wonder: Michael Harvey's Iconic T-Shirt VaseBy Michael HarveyLocated in San Francisco, CAThis isn't just a vase – it's a portal to the 1980s, infused with Michael Harvey's pop art magic. Forget mass-produced monotony – this is art you can live with, a ceramic canvas wher...Category
Vintage 1980s Vases
MaterialsPorcelain
- A pair of Alfredo Barbini Murano Decanters -By Alfredo BarbiniLocated in San Francisco, CAA pair of Tall Vintage Mid Century Modern Alfredo Barbini Murano light blue Decanters. Using both Aventurine and Bullicante techniquesCategory
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Bottles
MaterialsMurano Glass
- Elegant Modern Desk, Designed by Bertha Schaefer for Singer and Sons, circa 1950By M. Singer & Sons, Gio Ponti, Bertha SchaeferLocated in San Francisco, CAThis is a rare and elegant modern desk, designed by Bertha Schaefer for Singer and Sons, circa 1950s. Beautiful graining to the Italian walnut, especially to the top. Schaefer was on...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- Woman with Cannon in Bronze By Spero AnargyrosBy Spero AnargyrosLocated in San Francisco, CAClassic female form beautifully rendered in Bronze atop a marble base signed and dated 1970 What's a fearless muse without a trusty cannon? This one gleams like old gold as it rests...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsMarble, Bronze
- Borge Mogensen Teak Chest of DrawersBy Børge MogensenLocated in San Francisco, CAThis Scandinavian dresser with 7 drawers designed by Børge Mogensen became an instant Classic from Soborg Mobelfabrik. Teak wood furniture. It has seven drawers with uniquely profile...Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsTeak
- Aldo Londi for Bitossi Large VaseBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in St.Petersburg, FLStunning large vase designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, features a seta design in rare "Lobster" colors. Measures: 16” tall 5” wide.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- Early Aldo Londi Stoneware Vase for BitossiBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated in Atlanta, GAA hand-thrown stoneware vase by master ceramicist Aldo Londi for Bitossi, circa 1950. Subtle in every detail from the heavily textured clay body surface to a shifting oxide coloratio...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- 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
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
MaterialsCeramic, Pottery
- Aldo Londi Bitossi Vase for Rosenthal Netter: MaroccoBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated in Oak Harbor, OHManufacturer: Aldo Londi Importer: Rosenthal Netter Period or model: Mid-Century Modern. Specs: Pottery Condition: This Aldo Londi Bitossi Vase for Rosenthal Netter Marroc...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsPottery
- Ceramic vase, Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy 1970sBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in FERROL, ESCeramic vase, Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy 1970s Good condition. Measurements: 26x11 cm.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- Aldo Londi for Bitossi Cambogia Striped Vase, 1950'sBy Bitossi, Aldo Londi, RaymorLocated in Ferndale, MIAldo Londi for Bitossi Cambogia Series cylindrical vase with alternating horizontal stripes of various glazes and textures from the 1950s. The last photo shows it paired with a lidde...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic