Bitossi Italian Pottery Goblet by Aldo Londi
View Similar Items
Bitossi Italian Pottery Goblet by Aldo Londi
About the Item
- Creator:Bitossi (Manufacturer),Aldo Londi (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 7 in (17.78 cm)Width: 6 in (15.24 cm)Depth: 6 in (15.24 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Mid-20th Century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Sacramento, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU7299230653142
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.
- Contemporary Murano Art Glass Vase by Marino SantiLocated in Sacramento, CAContemporary Murano art glass vase by Marino Santi. A large and striking piece, in black and gold with white accents, signed on the underside and labeled....Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Post-Modern Vases
MaterialsArt Glass
- Mid-Century Upsala-Ekeby "Grofit" Vase by Mari SimmulsonBy Upsala Ekeby, Mari SimmulsonLocated in Sacramento, CAMid-century “Grofit” vase by Mari Simmulson for Upsala-Ekeby, made in Sweden. The vase is very dark brown, with a handle and a patterned base. Marked on the underside and with a stic...Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases
MaterialsPottery
- Eileen Gray E1027 Adjustable Side Table by ClassiCon, Made in ItalyBy Eileen GrayLocated in Sacramento, CAEileen Gray E1027 adjustable black metal and smoked glass side table. This model is officially licensed by Aram Design Ltd. and manufactured by Clas...Category
2010s Italian Modern Side Tables
MaterialsMetal
- Mid-Century Modern "Oceanic" Tall Walnut Chest of Drawers by Pulaski FurnitureBy Pulaski Furniture Corporation, Paul EvansLocated in Sacramento, CAMid-Century Modern “Oceanic” tall walnut chest of drawers by Pulaski Furniture. The chest has four drawers in the top section and three in the bottom...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWalnut
- Danish Modern Teak Credenza with Tambour Doors by DrylundBy DyrlundLocated in Sacramento, CADanish Modern teak credenza by Dyrlund. The credenza has sliding tambour doors and turned teak pulls, and has three adjustable shelves and five drawers, with a felt-lined top drawer....Category
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Credenzas
MaterialsTeak
- 1960s, Rosewood Sculptural Bowl in the Style of Emil Milan "Emilan"By Emil MilanLocated in Sacramento, CA1960s Rosewood sculptural bowl in the style of American woodcarver Emil “Emilan” Milan. A beautiful example of classic mid-century design, in excellent condition. Width: 24.5 in /...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsRosewood
- 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
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsWicker, Art Glass
- Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Lot of Italian Ceramics/ PotteryBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in St.Petersburg, FLRemarkable set of four pieces designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. Four pieces in total to include; floor vase, large vase, large bowl, and oversized ashtray. Collection is named “Lob...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- Midcentury Bitossi by Aldo LondiBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in Waddinxveen, ZHNice vase from Bitossi by Aldo Londi. The Rimini pattern executed in glossy dark green.Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- Seta Art Pottery Vase by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, RaymorBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in Brooklyn, NYItalian, Mid-Century Modern, Seta Series, incised texture, black and brown, matt glaze, art pottery vase by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Raymor with a 2 inch opening.Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- Bitossi Ceramic Vase by Aldo LondiBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in Chicago, ILBitossi ceramic vase by Aldo Londi.Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- Midcentury Bitossi Vase by Aldo LondiBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in Waddinxveen, ZHMidcentury pattern Vetrata vase by Aldo Londi for Bitossi Italy. Black, blue, orange, brown, grey and yellow on a brushed background.Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic