Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Lot of Italian Ceramics/ Pottery
About the Item
- Creator:Bitossi (Maker),Aldo Londi (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 20 in (50.8 cm)Width: 7.5 in (19.05 cm)Depth: 7.5 in (19.05 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 4
- 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. Minimal wear. Great condition.
- Seller Location:St.Petersburg, FL
- 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: West Berlin, NJ
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Aldo Londi for Bitossi Large VaseBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated 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
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- 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
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- 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
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- Rare Aldo Londi for Bitossi Floor Vase, Italian CeramicBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated in St.Petersburg, FLExceptional and large floor vase designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. Rare and largest size of this shape. Stunning color and form. Measures: 20” tall 7.5” wide.Category
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- Impressive Aldo Londi for Bitossi Ceramic LampBy Aldo LondiLocated in St.Petersburg, FLA tall and very impressive midcentury table lamp by Also Londi for Bitossi, Italy, circa 1950s. Ceramic with base is approx. 24" H, with shade approx 36" H....Category
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- Pair of Aldo Londi Bitossi Cermaic Lamps Harlequin PatternBy Aldo LondiLocated in St.Petersburg, FLA great pair of Also Londi for Bitossi ceramic lamps with a harlequin pattern decoration. The lamps are large with ceramic bases approx. 17.5" H.Category
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- Bitossi pottery vase, Rimini Blue, By Aldo Londi, ItalyBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in Skarpnäck, SEClassic Aldo Londi Bitossi ceramic vase from the Rimini blue range. A gorgeous Mid-century modern retro classic, with really nice glazing, the colors are what makes these vases so sp...Category
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- Large bowl, Aldo Londi for Bitossi, 1950sBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated in Firenze, ITBeautiful, large bowl designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, for which he was art director, in the early 1950s. It is molded with refractory earth in shades of brown with a rather rare ...Category
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- 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
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- Aldo Londi for Bitossi Italian Mid-Century Modern Cylindrical Pottery Vase 1960sBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated in Miami, FLREDUCED FROM $350...Mid century Italian modern tall cylindrical vase by Aldo Londi for Bitossi probably retailed by Rosenthal Netter. Decorated with...Category
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- 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
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- Aldo Londi for Bitossi Vase / UrnBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in San Francisco, CARare midcentury Studio pottery vase - handmade - featuring a color block palette of mustard and brown glazes with a white glazed interior - textured finish - signed on the base - Ita...Category
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