Rare Form Blue Bitossi Vase by Aldo Londi for Raymor, Italy, 1960
View Similar Items
Rare Form Blue Bitossi Vase
by Aldo Londi for Raymor, Italy, 1960
About the Item
- Creator:
- Dimensions:Height: 16.5 in (41.91 cm)Diameter: 6 in (15.24 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1060s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:BROOKLYN, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1793232706582
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.
- Midcentury Vase by Dean SantnerBy Dean SantnerLocated in BROOKLYN, NYFor your consideration is this beautifully sculpted vase by Master Craftsman Dean Santner. Santner designs are part of the American Modern Craft movement along si...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsWood
- Midcentury Green Flower Planter Made in Italy for TiffanyBy Tiffany & Co.Located in BROOKLYN, NYAdorable glazed green porcelain ceramic frog and flower pot / planter retailed by Tiffany. We have found no other examples. Has not been used and like new. Made in Italy model 405.Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
MaterialsCeramic, Porcelain
- Set of Three Kaleidoscope Vases by Kurt Wallstab, 1980sBy Kurt WallstabLocated in BROOKLYN, NYBeautiful graduating bud vases tallest being 7.5'' tall by celebrated glass artist, Kurt Wallstab. no chips or cracks to glass. Never used.Category
Vintage 1980s Post-Modern Vases
MaterialsGlass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
- Midcentury Wine Rack by Dean SantnerBy Dean SantnerLocated in BROOKLYN, NYFor your consideration is this beautifully sculpted wine holder by Master Craftsman Dean Santner. Santner designs are part of the American Studio Modern Craft mov...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Wine Coolers
MaterialsWood
$999 / item - Rare Midcentury Ottoman or Stool for KnollBy Vincent Cafiero, Florence Knoll, KnollLocated in BROOKLYN, NYFor your consideration is this wonderful and seldom seen ottoman, bench or stool by Vincent Cafiero for knoll. Featuring a tufted seat in newly recovered Spinneybeck leather. Having ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsAluminum, Chrome
$3,999 / item - Rare Midcentury Chair Ladislav Rado for Knoll DrakeBy Knoll & Drake, Knoll, Ladislav RadoLocated in BROOKLYN, NYVery rare and beautiful side chair designed by Ladislav Rado for the short lived one year collaboration between Knoll + Drake, c. 1955. Featuring white enameled cantilevered frame wi...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsBrass, Steel
$1,440 Sale Price20% Off
- Aldo Londi Mid-Century Bitossi Rimini Blue Pottery Vase for RaymorBy Aldo Londi, RaymorLocated in Philadelphia, PAA fine mid-century Rimini blue pottery vase. By Aldo Londi for Raymor. Made in Londi's renowned Rimini Blue style, the vase has a rich blue glaz...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Pottery
MaterialsPottery
- Bitossi Rimini by Aldo Londi Blue vase, Italy, 1960sBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated 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
- 1960's Aldo Londi Bitossi for Raymor Italy Abstract Ceramic Pottery Rimini VaseBy Bitossi, RaymorLocated in San Diego, CAWonderful vintage Aldo Londi Bitossi ceramic/pottery Rimini blue vase, circa 1960s. Made in Italy and is signed on the bottom. Appears to have never been used. Great abstract form an...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- Aldo Londi Bitossi Raymor Ceramic Vase Pink Stripes Signed Italy 1960sBy Aldo Londi, RaymorLocated in Munich, DEAldo Londi Bitossi Raymor ceramic vase stripes pottery signed, Italy, 1960s, stoneware Cambogia vase in vibrant bands of turquoise, violet, pink, light an...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- Aldo Londi Bitossi Raymor Ceramic Vase Orange Stripes Pottery Italy 1960sBy Aldo Londi, RaymorLocated in Munich, DEBitossi vase, ceramic, stripes, orange, yellow, white. Medium scale vase, with modernist form, glazed in orange, matte white, chartreuse yellow, mint green, and caramel stripes. A fi...Category
Vintage 1960s 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