Bitossi Cinese Pattern Pair of Lamp Bases, Italy, 1965
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Bitossi Cinese Pattern Pair of Lamp Bases, Italy, 1965
About the Item
- Creator:Aldo Londi (Designer),Bitossi (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 18.71 in (47.5 cm)Diameter: 7.09 in (18 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1965
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Pymble, AU
- Reference Number:Seller: 3272+31stDibs: LU126526369393
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.
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- Bitossi Aldo Londi Very Rare Lamp Base, Italy, 1965By Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in Pymble, NSWA very large and extremely rare lamp base by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy, circa 1964. The pattern is Persian Blu glazed and manganese brown body, with sgraffito cross-banded lines,...Category
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- Bitossi Aldo Londi Yellow Spagnoli Candleholder, Italy, circa 1965By Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in Pymble, NSWAn Aldo Londi designed candleholder with a yellow version of the Spagnoli [Spanish] pattern.Category
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- Vintage Italian Bitossi Studio Pottery AshtrayBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in San Diego, CAAshtray produced in the 1960s by Bitossi, based on a design by Aldo Londi. This piece is a rare abstract fat lava glaze textured piece. A truly unique piece that will add style to yo...Category
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- Aldo Londi Ceramic, Pottery Ashtray for Bitossi, Geometric, Mondrian, PatternBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in Los Angeles, CAVery elegant design in this ashtray by the well known artist/designer Aldo Londi.Category
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- Aldo Londi, Ceramic/Pottery Vase by Bitossi, Geometric/Mondrian PatternBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in Los Angeles, CANice and elegant ceramic vase by Aldo Londi and made by Bitossi.Category
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- Set of Two Bitossi Aldo Londi Rimini Blue Glazed Ceramics Pieces, ItalyBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in Helsinki, FIA beautiful set of two blue Bitossi pieces. A bowl of 22cm diameter and 5.5cm high and a candleholder with a diameter or 10cm and 4 high. Both pieces are in beautiful condition.Category
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- Aldo Londi Bitossi Rimini Blue Castle LampBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated in Palm Springs, CALovely large Bitossi Ceramic lamp designed by Aldo Londi in Rimini Blue. Unusual castle trellis top. The lamp has been rewired and functions well. The shade can be included but has s...Category
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- Bitossi Aldo Londi Rimini Blu Ceramic Vase, Italy, 1960sBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated 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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MaterialsCeramic