Pair of Cambogia Table Lamps by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy 1950s
View Similar Items
Pair of Cambogia Table Lamps by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:
- Dimensions:Height: 34 in (86.36 cm)Diameter: 4.25 in (10.8 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Jersey City, NJ
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU80735136113
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 Table Lamps by Dino Martens for Aureliano Toso, Italy, 1950sBy Dino Martens, Aureliano TosoLocated in Jersey City, NJPair of table lamps in mezza filigrana striped glass, decorative brass spheres between the glass body and the patinated brass-plated metal base. Shades can be ordered to specification.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
$1,700 Sale Price / set50% Off - Pair of Original Ara Table Lamps by Phillpe Starck for Flos, 1988, FranceBy Philippe Starck, FlosLocated in Jersey City, NJPair of mirror polished-chrome plated steel table lamps have a die-cast head of Zamac metal alloy, with glass defuser, supported by a angled steel pole attached to a weighted chrome ...Category
Vintage 1980s French Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Diane Table Lamp Designed by Roberto Pamio for Leucos Italy 1990sBy Roberto Pamio, Leucos Design LabLocated in Jersey City, NJTable lamp in curved, hand made, satin aqua-colored cased glass and brushed nickel; labeled "Leucos Fatto A Mano Made in Italy." In excellent condition- no scratches or chi...Category
1990s Table Lamps
- Pair of Cubic Desk Lamps Designed by Gaetano Sciolari Made in Italy, 1968By Gaetano SciolariLocated in Jersey City, NJPair of table lamps with three square lights in metal each graduating in height joined at the bottom by brushed aluminum The tops have a single socket in each a molded plastic diffus...Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
- Pair of Brass Table Lamps, USA Circa 1975Located in Jersey City, NJPair of dimensional table lamps made of four main sections: each crescent-shaped section is formed by one piece of flat metal, enameled in black on one side and brass plated on the o...Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass
$900 Sale Price / set71% Off - Chromed Table Lamp, Italy, circa 1970Located in Jersey City, NJA well made, vintage modern all-chrome table lamp has a round, weighted base and cylindrical stem that hold the rounded triangular shade featuring an elevated segment. The lamp has t...Category
Late 20th Century Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Raymor Cambogia Table Lamp by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Imported by Raymor, 1950sBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in New York, NYRare Aldo Londi designed Cambogia table lamp made in Italy by Bitossi, imported by Raymor, circa 1950s. The ceramic body features poly chrome stripes w...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic, Pottery
- Pair of Italian Pottery Lamps by Aldo Londi for BitossiBy Raymor, Bitossi, Marcello Fantoni, Aldo Londi, FantoniLocated in Houston, TXPair of Italian pottery lamps by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. Stunning and unusual pair of Italian pottery lamps by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. These masterfully created glazed pottery lamps...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Hollywood Regency Table Lamps
MaterialsPottery
- Aldo Londi for Bitossi Italy Mondrian Design Ceramic Table Lamp, 1960sBy Raymor, Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated 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
- 1950s Italian Aldo Londi for Bitossi Ceramic Pottery Medieval Frescos Table LampBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated 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
$336 Sale Price29% Off - Geometric Aldo Londi for Bitossi Ceramic Table Lamp, Italy 1950'sBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated in New York, NYAldo Londi (1911–2003). Striking ceramic “Mondrian” table lamp by Aldo Londi for historic Italian ceramics house Bitossi. With brass mounts and a ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Aldo Londi for Bitossi Italian Modern Ceramic White, Blue Lamp, 1950sBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated 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