Aldo Londi for Bitossi Midcentury White and Blue Ceramic Table Lamps, 1950s
View Similar Items
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Midcentury White and Blue Ceramic Table Lamps, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Aldo Londi (Designer),Bitossi (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 17.72 in (45.01 cm)Diameter: 5.83 in (14.81 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Ceramic,Glazed
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1959
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Copenhagen, DK
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2684311049903
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.
- Aldo Londi for Bitossi Italian Modern Ceramic White, Blue Lamp, 1950sBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in Copenhagen, DKHandmade and hand decorated Italian Mid-Century Modern textured chamotte ceramic table lamp. Designed by Aldo Londi for the collection "Rimini Blu" in 1959 and manufactured by Bitoss...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic, Pottery
- Danish Midcentury Hand Painted Ceramic Vase, 1950sLocated in Copenhagen, DKSmall midcentury handpainted ceramic pitcher vase. Decorated with landscape motif of a Danish stone age viking grave built of large rocks. Multicolored unique decor...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsPottery, Ceramic, Stoneware
- Italian Bitossi Turquoise Green, Caramel Brown Ceramic Table LampBy BitossiLocated in Copenhagen, DKColorful Mid-Century Modern Italian ceramic table lamp by Bitossi Ceramiche. Playful turquoise and caramel colored glaze in wavy, organic and geometr...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic, Pottery, Stoneware
- 1950s Burgundy, Cream White Ceramic Table Lamp, Johansen, DenmarkBy Einar JohansenLocated in Copenhagen, DKDanish modern piece with lined graphic pattern in warm colors. Handmade in the early 1950s by acclaimed Danish painter and ceramic artist Einar Johansen. Slender neck and round body ...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsPottery, Stoneware, Ceramic
- Flygsfors Crystal White Sommerso Table Lamps, 1950sBy FlygsforsLocated in Copenhagen, DKPair of elegant Swedish modern table lamps with white glass encased in clear crystal by art glass designer Paul Kedelv for Swedish Flygsfors Glasverk. Murano Sommerso style. Handblow...Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCrystal
- Danish Eslau Blue, White Floral Vase, 1950sBy EslauLocated in Copenhagen, DKSoft shaped 1950s Danish organic modern art deco style handmade ceramic vase by Eslau. Hand-carved, stylized white leaves on deep blue handpainted bac...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic, Pottery
- Aldo Londi Bitossi Rimini Blue Castle LampBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated 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
Vintage 1960s Italian Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic
- Tall Aldo Londi for Bitossi Orange & Yellow Ceramic Table Lamp, 1950sBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in Bainbridge, NYStatuesque Aldo Londi for Bitossi Studios Vibrant handcrafted Ceramic Table Lamp. Featuring a textured gloss glazed Orange cylindrical column with a bulbous Bright Yellow ball top and White enameled...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Aldo Londi Bitossi Cityscape Ceramic Lamp Base Rimini BlueBy Aldo LondiLocated in Chicago, ILA very pretty example of Aldo Londi's work. Same time period as the work of Gambone and Fantoni The ceramic portion alone is 20" tall. Comes with original hardware.Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic
- Monumental Aldo Londi for Bitossi Incised Bright Ochre Ceramic Table Lamp, 1950sBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in Bainbridge, NYSubstantial Aldo Londi for Bitossi Ceramiche Imprinted Pottery Table Lamp. Featuring a handcrafted four-sided double gourd form, glazed reflective lustrous Mustard coloration, hand i...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic
- 1950s Italian Aldo Londi for Bitossi Ceramic Pottery Medieval Frescos Table LampBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in London, GB1950s Italian designed by Aldo Londi and manufactured by Bitossi ceramic pottery table lamp base. Following some research I believe it may have originally been a candlestick but conv...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
$331 Sale Price29% Off - 1950s Aldo Londi Ceramic Bitossi Pendant Lamp for Italian RaymorBy Aldo Londi, RaymorLocated in Glendale, CA1950s Aldo Londi Ceramic Bitossi pendant lamp for Italian Raymor. This rare and sculptural Italian ceramic lamp is executed with multi colored glazed horizontal stripes and geometric circular perforations. Only one available in this coloration. Another similar lamps...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsCeramic