Table Lamp by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy, circa 1965
View Similar Items
Table Lamp by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy, circa 1965
About the Item
- Creator:Aldo Londi (Designer),Bitossi (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 23 in (58.42 cm)Diameter: 10 in (25.4 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1965
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Costa Mesa, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1384210746263
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.
- Richard Barr for Laurel Brutalist Torch Cut Bronze and Copper Lamp, 1965By Laurel Lamp Company, Richard BarrLocated in Costa Mesa, CARichard Barr for Laurel Brutalist torch cut bronze and copper lamp, 1965. Model H-821, this beautiful and substantial bronze and textured copper base lamp is a statement for any room...Category
Vintage 1960s American Brutalist Table Lamps
MaterialsBronze, Copper
- Rosewood and Brushed Aluminium Cylinder Table Lamp by Laurel, circa 1970By Laurel Lamp CompanyLocated in Costa Mesa, CARosewood and brushed aluminium cylinder table lamp by Laurel, circa 1970. Original wiring, excellent original condition. Can be seen in our Modern Vault Showroom at 361 Old Newport...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsAluminum
$796 Sale Price20% Off - Pair of 'Feather' Task Lamps by George Kovacs for Robert Sonneman, circa 1980By George Kovacs, Robert SonnemanLocated in Costa Mesa, CAPair of 'Feather' task lamps by George Kovacs for Robert Sonneman, circa 1980. Beautiful rare ochre color with counterbalanced arm. Double switch for on-off and high-low settings. Or...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
$1,200 Sale Price / set20% Off - David Cressey Drip Glaze Ceramic Table Lamp, circa 1970By David CresseyLocated in Costa Mesa, CADavid Cressey drip glaze ceramic table lamp, circa 1970. Beautiful mustard glaze with walnut base and original wiring in good working condition. Does not include shade. Measures: 21...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic
$900 Sale Price40% Off - Burnished Leather and Brass Oval Table Lamp, circa 1970By LightolierLocated in Costa Mesa, CABurnished leather and brass oval table lamp, circa 1970. Beautiful burnished leather and patinated brass table lamp with new custom made oval sha...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
$897 Sale Price40% Off - Cristalino Salome Marble Columnar Table Lamp with Alabaster Shade, circa 1970By Cini BoeriLocated in Costa Mesa, CACristalino Salome Marble Columnar table lamp with Alabaster Shade, circa 1970. In the style of Cini Boeri, this beautiful marble table lamp comes with the original Alabaster shade in...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsAlabaster, Marble
$1,680 Sale Price32% Off
- Midcentury Table Lamps by Aldo Londi for BitossiBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in Karlstad, SEPair of Mid-Century Modern ceramic table lamps by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, manufactured in Sweden. Condition: Very good/excellent. Original shades with signs of age. Measures: Heigh...Category
20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic
$3,822 / set - Vintage Italian Ceramic Table Lamp by Aldo Londi for BitossiBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in London, GBA stunning vintage Italian ceramic table lamp by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. It was made in Italy and dates from around the 1960’s. It is in beautiful rimini blue, with a lovely design ...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern 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
- 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
- Rare Italian Ceramic Lion Table Lamp by Aldo Londi for BitossiBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in Palm Springs, CAA rare 1970s ceramic lion table lamp by renowned Italian ceramicist Aldo Londi for Bitossi. The lamp is made out of ceramic with some volcanic glazed....Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Aldo Londi, Bitossi Italian Ceramic LampsBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in New York, NYPair of Italian hand decorated ceramic lamps feauring a light brown background and exhuberant stylized fauna and flowers in light blue, lilac, and celadon. Rewired for use in the USA...Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic
$5,850 Sale Price / set25% Off