Monumental Bitossi Ceramic Lamp by Aldo Londi for Raymor Italy circa 1960s Venus
View Similar Items
Monumental Bitossi Ceramic Lamp by Aldo Londi for Raymor Italy circa 1960s Venus
About the Item
- Creator:
- Dimensions:Height: 40 in (101.6 cm)Width: 7 in (17.78 cm)Depth: 7 in (17.78 cm)
- 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.
- Seller Location:West Hartford, CT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3072316070842
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.
- Pair of Mid-Century Modern Tall Sculptural Italian Table LampsLocated in West Hartford, CTMade of brass and ceramic and colored with a gorgeous creamy off-white and black design, these lamps exude the iconic midcentury look that is so coveted. They have custom made shades...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
$880 Sale Price60% Off - Signed Maitland Smith Substantial Pair of Porcelain Ceramic Table Lamps MatchingBy Maitland SmithLocated in West Hartford, CTVintage pair of matching signed Maitland Smith table lamps. Wire for US and in working order. Note the matching finials at top. As with all MS pieces, the craftsmanship is first cla...Category
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic, Porcelain
- Vintage Driftwood Sculptural Table Lamp with Matching FinialLocated in West Hartford, CTVintage sculptural driftwood lamp made of intertwining branches and topped with matching finial. Mounted on a lacquered wood base. 19”H to top of socket.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Japanese Asian Brass Champleve Cloissone Table LampLocated in West Hartford, CTStunning Japanese brass champleve table lamp with colorful enamel detail topped with an etched glass hurricane lamp. Why not own the best? Wired...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass, Enamel
- French Brass Three-Arm Bouillote Table LampLocated in West Hartford, CTIconic French horn motif brass table lamp having three arms and a handsome black shade. Takes five candles in total. Wired for US and in working order.Category
Mid-20th Century Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Vintage Chinese Chinoiserie Blue Porcelain Table LampLocated in West Hartford, CTStunning Chinese porcelain table lamp features hand painted floral motif on a blue ground with applied turquoise foo dog handles. Wired for US and in working order. Comes as shown wi...Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Table Lamps
MaterialsPorcelain, Ceramic
- Aldo Londi for Bitossi Italy Mondrian Design Ceramic Table Lamp, 1960sBy Aldo Londi, Raymor, BitossiLocated in Atlanta, GAThis striking 1960s Aldo Londi for Bitossi geometric ceramic table lamp was imported and distributed in the United States by Raymor of New York. This table lamp features a "Mondrian" style design with a cylindrical geometric shape and a bright yellow semi-gloss enamel finish contrasted by a textured matte black. There is no visible maker's mark. For fifty years, Bitossi's creative director, Aldo Londi, brought the ceramics manufacturer into the modern era with his abstract motifs and vivid use of colors. The lamp does not come with the shade photographed (for in situ only purpose). The table lamp electricity was updated to fit US standards. The harp and finial are included with the lamp sale...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsFaience, Ceramic
- Handmade Ceramic Table Lamp by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy, 1960sBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated in Nürnberg, BayernRare model of table lamp by Aldo Londi for Italian manufacturer Bitossi. The lamp is in very good vintage condition. The lamps measure 44cm up to the socket. Please note that the s...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic
- Vintage Italian Table Lamp by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, 1960sBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in Asaa, DKVintage Italian ceramic table lamp by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, 1960s Italian mid-century modern table lamp in Rimini blue glace wit...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic
- Monumental Turquoise Glazed Ceramic Lamp by Aldo Londi for BitossiBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in San Diego, CAMonumental turquoise glazed ceramic lamp by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, circa 1960s. The lamp is in very good working condition and measures 11.5"D x 30"H. The lamp sits on a small wal...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsWood, Ceramic
- Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy Pair of Table Lamps, circa 1960sBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in Peabody, MAPair of table lamps in unglazed terracotta with wraparound corded details by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, made in Italy circa 1960s. Measure 26" high to top of socket, 34" high to top of ...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsTerracotta, Cord
- 1960s Ceramic Lamp, Aldo Londi, Bitossi, ItalyBy Aldo LondiLocated in Paris, FRVintage ceramic table lamp with lampshade, Italian production Aldo Londi - Bitossi from the 60s. . Ceramic base worked and painted by hand (on the bottom it bears the monogram of...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic