Like a Fellini movie, the ceramics of the famed Italian company Bitossi Ceramiche embody a creative spectrum that ranges from the playful and earthy to the high-minded and provocative. Based in Florence, Bitossi draws on craft traditions that date back to the 1500s. These find expression in Bitossi pottery that includes 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.
Bitossi 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 cats, owls, horses and other 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. After hiring Sottsass to design ceramics for his New York imports company, Raymor, American entrepreneur Irving Richards connected the Milanese design polymath to Londi, who introduced Sottsass to ceramics in the 1950s.
During that decade, 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 Bitossi Rimini Blu Ceramic Round Bowl, 1950s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Barcelona, ES
Rimini Blue Bitossi Aldo Londi Bowl, Glazed Ceramic Italian midcentury Aldo Londi Bitossi Rimini blue glazed ceramic circular bowl. Italy, 1950-19...
Pottery, Terracotta, Ceramic
$230 / item
Medium Blue Decorative plate by Aldo Londi
By Bitossi
Located in Milan, IT
A medium round ceramic centerpiece featuring a vibrant blue glaze with a glossy finish from the Rimini Blu collection. The surface showcases intricate incised geometric patterns crea...
Ceramic
Italian Rimini Blu Glazed Leaf-Form Ceramic Vide Poche by Aldo Londi for Bitossi
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Italian Modernist ceramic vide poche/ashtray designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, ca. 1950s. Features the Rimini blu glaze, a blend of turquoise, navy and green, with sgraffito etched...
Ceramic
Bitossi Rimini Blu Ceramic Decorative Desk Organizer by Aldo Londi, Italy 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Mid-Century ceramic decorative piece or desk organizer in the iconic and vibrant Rimini Blu color. This lovely and unique piece was designed by Aldo Londi and produced by B...
Ceramic
Bitossi for Rosenthal Netter Ceramic Ashtray Catch All
By Rosenthal Netter, Bitossi
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Mid-Century Modern catch all or ashtray was made by Bitossi for Rosenthal Netter. The square semi-matte brown outer rim encloses the concave cir...
Ceramic, Pottery
$528Sale Price|45% Off
1950s Aldo Londi Bitossi Ceramic Rimini Blue Bowl with Lid
By Bitossi
Located in Cordova, SC
# Rare Bitossi Ceramic Lidded Container - Mid-Century Italian Ceramic Masterpiece I'm pleased to present this exceptional Bitossi ceramic lidded container, a true testament to mid-c...
Ceramic
Bitossi Fish Tray, Ceramic, White, Matte Brown, Pink, Blue, Incised, Signed
By Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Bitossi fish tray, ceramic, white, matte brown, pink, blue, incised, signed. Large scale hand thrown pottery tray with white glaze over raw claw. The body...
Ceramic
$675 / item
Gray Decorative Plate by Aldo Londi
By Bitossi
Located in Milan, IT
A decorative plate from the Riedizioni Archivio Storico collection, featuring sculptural ridges and dynamic textures that evoke organic forms. The piece is crafted in white clay, enh...
Ceramic
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Rimini Blu Leaf Shaped Glazed Ceramic Bowl / Ashtray
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Barcelona, ES
Unusual leaf design midcentury blue glazed (Rimini Blu) ceramic bowl / vide-poche / ashtray. Italy, 1950-1960s. Designed by Aldo Londi and manufactured by Bitossi. Handcrafted in It...
Pottery, Terracotta, Ceramic
Ashtray or Vide-Poche in Rimini Blue Ceramic, Bitossi by Aldo Londi, Italy 1960s
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous ceramic ashtray or vide-poche in a stunning blue glazed (Rimini Blu) color. This vibrant ceramic item was designed by Aldo Londi and hand-craf...
Pottery, Ceramic
Bitossi Italy Large Platter Grey with Leaves and Dots, Midcentury Ceramic 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Guido Gambone, Thomas Toft, Bitossi
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Stunning large oblong platter by Aldo Lodi for BItossi, Italy. Made ca 1950s to 60s. The handpainted leaves are decorated with stripes and raised dots. The colors are a pale grey, b...
Ceramic
Aldo Londi Bitossi Rimini Blue Glazed Ceramic Rectangular Ashtray Bowl Videpoche
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Barcelona, ES
Italian handcrafted blue glazed ceramic rectangular ashtray / bowl with hand-carved geometric designs in cobalt blue and turquoise colors. The 'Rim...
Pottery, Terracotta, Ceramic
Rimini Blu Catchall Ashtray by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Made in Italy
By Bitossi, Raymor, Aldo Londi
Located in Miami, FL
Italian handmade ceramic vide-poche or catchall tray in the vibrant signature blue of Aldo Londi's iconic art pottery collection Rimini Blu, orig...
Ceramic
Aldo Londi Rimini Blue Ashtray for Bitossi
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Vintage ashtray in signature Rimini blue glaze with leaf motif by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. Marked "Italy" on bottom. Artist: Aldo Londi Manufacturer: Bitossi Origin: Italy ...
Ceramic
$3,325Sale Price|30% Off
Bitossi, Twin Handled Gold Crackle Glazed Ceramic Bowl, Italy, circa 1950's
By Bitossi
Located in Chatham, ON
Bitossi- Rare mid century studio ceramic twin handled bowl - striking gold crackle glaze to the interior reveals multi colored glazes beneath - thick glossy black glaze to the handle...
Ceramic
$341Sale Price|35% Off
Bitossi Large Ashtray by Aldo Londi, Rimini Blu Ceramic, Italy, 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Valencia, VC
Large Round Bitossi Ashtray by Aldo Londi – Rimini Blu, 1950s-60s A stunning Mid-Century Bitossi ashtray by Aldo Londi, featuring the house’s signature Etruscan-inspired sgraffito d...
Earthenware, Clay, Ceramic
Bitossi Decorative Bowl, Ceramic and Fused Glass, Italy, 1960s, Signed
By Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Bitossi Decorative Bowl, Ceramic and Fused Glass, Italy, 1960s, Signed. Medium scale white glazed rectangular low bowl with fused glass mosaic interior pattern of light and dark blue...
Ceramic
Bitossi Aldo Londi Rimini Blue Ceramic Vase, Italy 1960
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Barcelona, ES
'Rimini blu' glazed ceramic vase designed by Aldo Londi for by Bitossi. Italy, 1960s. This eye-catching vase is made of blue glazed ceramic with engraved patterns surrounding the cen...
Ceramic, Pottery, Terracotta
Large Rimini Blu Aldo Londi for Bitossi Vase
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful glaze an excellent condition on this large Bitossi vase circa 1980's .
Ceramic
$847Sale Price|50% Off
H 2 in W 8.25 in D 4 in
Bitossi for Rosenthal Netter Box, Ceramic, Chartreuse, Signed
By Bitossi, Rosenthal Netter
Located in New York, NY
Bitossi for Rosenthal Netter box, ceramic, chartreuse, signed. Small scale lidded box decorated with impressed geometric patterns and glazed in chartreuse, ...
Ceramic
$600Sale Price|66% Off
H 2 in W 8 in D 4 in
Bitossi Rosenthal Netter Box, Ceramic, Stripes, Orange, Black, Yellow, Signed
By Bitossi, Rosenthal Netter
Located in New York, NY
Bitossi for Rosenthal netter box, ceramic, stripes, orange, black and yellow, signed. Small scale ceramic lidded box decorated with angled planks, glazed an...
Ceramic
Midcentury Bitossi Aldo Londi Rimini Blue Glazed Ceramic Vase
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Barcelona, ES
'Rimini blu' glazed ceramic vase designed by Aldo Londi for by Bitossi. Italy, 1960s. This eye-catching vase is made of blue glazed ceramic with engraved patterns surrounding the cen...
Ceramic, Pottery, Terracotta
$875
H 2.56 in W 7.68 in D 5.91 in
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Rimini Blu Leaf Shaped Glazed Ceramic Bowl / Ashtray
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Barcelona, ES
Unusual leaf design midcentury blue glazed (Rimini Blu) ceramic bowl / vide-poche / ashtray. Italy, 1950-1960s. Designed by Aldo Londi and manufactured by Bitossi. Handcrafted in It...
Pottery, Terracotta, Ceramic
Aldo Londi Bitossi Rimini Blue Glazed Fish Sculpture Figurine, Italy, 1950s
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful, decorative midcentury Rimini blue glazed fish sculpture. Designed by Aldo Londi, manufactured by Bitossi Ceramiche / Italy in the 19...
Ceramic, Stoneware, Terracotta
$1,010
H 2 in W 8 in D 4 in
Aldo Londi Bitossi Rosenthal Netter Ceramic Box, Stripes, Labels, Italy 1960s
By Rosenthal Netter, Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Aldo Londi for Bitossi lidded box, Italy, 1960s. Small scale ceramic box decorated with an angular geometric pattern in yellow, white, and black over a brown glaze. Retains two paper...
Ceramic
$380
H 3.25 in W 6.25 in D 2.5 in
Bitossi Rimini Blue Ceramic Bull Sculpture by Aldo Londi, Italy, 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Bitossi Ceramic Sculpture by Aldo Londi, Rimini Blu, Italy, 1960s An exceptional Mid-Century Italian ceramic sculpture by Bitossi, designed by Aldo Londi in the 1960s. This rare piec...
Ceramic
$392
H 5.75 in W 3.5 in D 2.38 in
Bitossi Rimini Blue Ceramic Owl Sculpture by Aldo Londi, Italy, 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Bitossi Ceramic Sculpture by Aldo Londi, Rimini Blu, Italy, 1960s An exceptional Mid-Century Italian ceramic sculpture by Bitossi, designed by Aldo Londi in the 1960s. This rare piec...
Ceramic
$750Sale Price|50% Off
H 4 in Dm 8.13 in
Aldo Londi Bitossi Ashtray, Ceramic, Safety Pin, Blue, Gold, Signed
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Aldo Londi Bitossi Ashtray, Ceramic, Safety Pin, Blue, Gold, Signed. Small to medium scale deep ashtray with three cigarette rests. Decorated with a pattern of gold glazed safety pin...
Ceramic
Italian Midcentury Rimini Blu Ceramic Cat by Aldo Londi for Bitossi
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Vienna, AT
Charming iconic and Huge Italian modern ceramic cat sculpture from the Rimini Blue series designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi Italy. The Italian Ceramic Artist Aldo Londi from Montel...
Ceramic
Sold
H 1 in W 19 in D 7 in
Bistosi for Raymor Italian Modern Glazed Ceramic Fish Vide-Poche, Circa 1960
By Raymor, Bitossi
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Bistosi for Raymor Italian Modern Glazed Ceramic Fish Vide-Poche, circa 1960 An exceptional Italian Modern glazed ceramic vide-poche or catchall tray by to Ceramiche Bistosi and dis...
Pottery
Mid-Century Modern Italian Ashtray/Catchall by Aldo Londi for Bitossi
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Sacramento, CA
Mid-century modern Italian astray or catchall dish. Designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, this piece exemplifies the harmonious blend of function and aesthetic appeal characteristic of...
Ceramic
Sold
H 1.5 in W 10.25 in D 5.5 in
1960's Bitossi Italy for Raymor Ceramic & Glass Mosaic Catchall/ Ashtray
By Raymor, Bitossi
Located in North Miami, FL
Outstanding 1960s Aldo Londi for Bitossi ceramic catchall or ashtray. Imported and distributed in the United States by Raymor of New York. Featuring a still-life of wine bottle and g...
Ceramic, Blown Glass
Sold
H 1.97 in W 6.7 in D 6.7 in
Mid-Century Bitossi Aldo Londi Ceramic Ashtray/ Vide-Poche, Signed, Italy, 960s
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Valencia, VC
A rare Bitossi ashtray by Italian ceramicist Aldo Londi, handcrafted circa the 1960s. This piece showcases Londi's Torcello Decor, distinguished by its in...
Ceramic
Sold
H 1.19 in W 11.82 in D 2.76 in
Mid-Century Italian Ceramic Vide-Poche by Aldo Londi for Bitossi (circa 1960s)
By Bitossi
Located in London, GB
Mid-Century Italian earthenware vide-poche by Aldo Londi for Bitossi (circa 1960s). A rare find, this mid-century ceramic canoe-shaped dish has handles at either end. Above the trade...
Ceramic
Sold
H 1.97 in W 7.49 in D 7.49 in
Bitossi by Aldo Londi Rimini Blu Glazed Ceramic Ashtray Vide-Poche, Italy 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Valencia, VC
Gorgeous Italian vintage ceramic large ashtray by Aldo Londi for Bitossi from the Rimini Blu range. Handcrafted in Flavia Montelupo, Italy, circa the 1960s. It would look beautiful ...
Ceramic
Bitossi Studio Pottery Ashtray
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stoneware ashtray with lava glaze by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, c.1960s, Italy. The ashtray features a geometric pattern on the center of the ashtray in blue, yellow and red tones. Mar...
Stoneware
Sold
H 3.15 in Dm 11.62 in
Bitossi Italy for Raymor Ceramic Ashtray Bowl Centerpiece with Glass Mosaic
By Bitossi, Raymor, Aldo Londi
Located in Atlanta, GA
This superb massive ceramic decorative centerpiece or cigar ashtray was crafted by Bitossi, Italy, in the 1960s, with a design by Aldo Londi. Imported and distributed in the United S...
Ceramic, Faience, Glass
Bitossi Sunflower "Vide-Poche", Italy, 1960's
By Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
A Bitossi yellow "Sunflower" dish in earthenware with a bright yellow glaze.
Ceramic
Sold
H 2.5 in W 8 in D 6 in
Mid-Century Aldo Londi for Bitossi Geometric Ceramic Ashtray, Italy, 1960s
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in San Diego, CA
Aldo Londi for Bitossi yellow and orange geometric ashtray or bowl. Signed on the bottom. Italy 1960s. Aldo Londi (Montelupo Fiorentino, 1911-20...
Ceramic
Sold
H 4.5 in W 21.5 in D 18 in
Vintage Square Rimini Blue Ceramic Ashtray by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1960s. This ashtray, designed by Aldo Londi and manufactured by Bitossi, is made in Rimini blue glazed ceramic and features 3 cigar or cigarette holders. It is a vi...
Ceramic
Italian Ceramic Rooster Dish with Sgraffito Glaze by Bitossi, 1960s
By Bitossi
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Freeform wavy bowl with colorful depiction of a rooster fight. Executed in free hand on a sgraffito main glaze. Details highlighted with gold glaze. Sign...
Ceramic