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.
18" Aldo Londi for Bitossi Italian Geometric Ceramic Vase, Raymor Label, 1960s
By Raymor, Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Minneapolis, MN
This is an impressive large-scale Italian ceramic vase designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi and imported to the United States by Raymor, one of the foremost purveyors of Italian modern...
Ceramic
Aldo Londi for Bitossi “Mondrian” Ceramic Vase, Italy, circa 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a striking and architectonic ceramic vase designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy, circa 1960s, from the sought-after Mondrian series. Defined by its bold geometric composi...
Ceramic, Pottery
Gambone Mid-Century Italian Ceramic Vase in Striped Polychrome Glaze, 1960s
By Guido Gambone
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a vibrant mid-century Italian ceramic vase by Gambone, executed in a richly saturated palette of layered glazes. The cylindrical form is enveloped in a luminous orange ground...
Ceramic
Elso Sora for A.M.A. Pesaro Italian Hand-Painted Floor Vase or Umbrella Stand
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a monumental hand-painted Italian majolica floor vase or umbrella stand by Elso Sora for A.M.A. Pesaro, dating to the 1950s. Beautifully executed in the celebrated Pesaro cer...
Ceramic
Longwy Primavera Sigismond Olesiewicz French Art Deco Cubist Ceramic Vase
By Faïenceries et Emaux de Longwy, Atelier Primavera au Printemps
Located in Minneapolis, MN
This very striking, hand-painted ceramic vase was designed by Sigismond Olesiewicz for Primavera, the design studio of the Paris department store Printemps, and produced by the Faïen...
Ceramic, Pottery
17" Alfred Read for Poole Pottery Gray and Red Ceramic Floor Vase, England
By Alfred Read
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a striking large-scale ceramic vase produced by Poole Pottery, England, and designed by noted designer Alfred Read. Elegant in both form and decoration, the vase features a s...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Modernist Hand Painted Ceramic Vase, Signed Thor
Located in New York, NY
This refined Mid Century Modern ceramic vase was realized by the esteemed maker Thor in Denmark circa 1960. It offers a cylindrical body, and dramatically sloped shoulders that curve upwards to a truncated neck and round mouth- all in a beautiful ecru hue. The body of the piece has been meticulously hand painted with a diamond motif- at points clustered, and at others represented as floating individuals diamonds- in a surprising and sophisticated tones of marigold, persimmon, chocolate and white. The grain of the ceramic substrate beneath shows through the glaze imbuing it with a sumptuous texture. With its clean modernist lines and elegant color palate, this piece embodies the qualities that discerning collectors of first rate Scandinavian Mid Century ceramics...
Ceramic
Rare Aldo Londi for Bitossi Floor Vase, Italian Ceramic
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Exceptional and large floor vase designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. Rare and largest size of this shape. Stunning color and form. Measures: 20” tall 7.5” wide.
Ceramic
Mid-Century Modern Bitossi Ceramic Vase by Aldo Londi, Italy, 1950s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Philadelphia, PA
"Modern in the Tradition of Good Taste" Large scale Raymor Bitossi Vase by Aldo Londi Yellow and Green Signed on underside: Italy 4675 Retains partial original Raymor paper la...
Pottery, Ceramic, Clay
Vintage ceramic vase, design Aldo Londi, Bitossi Italy 1970s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Mid-Century Italian pottery vase with Bitossi. The outside surface of the vase is decorated with a printed pattern. The glaze has a deep brown and olive color. This vase was designed...
Ceramic
Bitossi by Aldo Londi Ceramic Vase, Sahara Décor for Cer Paoli, Italy, 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Valencia, VC
Rare Bitossi for Ceramiche Paoli Large Vase – Mid-Century Neolithic-Inspired Design A striking example of Aldo Londi’s masterful work, this large ceramic vase embodies the timeless influence of Neolithic utility pottery, reinterpreted through Bitossi’s signature craftsmanship. Featuring the iconic sgraffito hand decor, inspired by Etruscan ceramics, this piece is part of the Sahara line, distinguished by its earthy, textured aesthetic. Unlike the standard Bitossi Sahara...
Ceramic, Stoneware, Majolica, Earthenware, Clay
Vintage Italian Ceramic Vase by Aldo Londi for Bitossi (circa 1960s)
By Bitossi
Located in London, GB
Vintage Italian ceramic vase with geometric motif by Aldo Londi for Bitossi (circa 1960s). Discovered in North Central Italy, this particular piece has been well kept over the years. It has a decorative band around its centre with a geometric motif of concentric squares in turquoise. On either side top and bottom, etched circles follow the form of the piece. It is weighty with a slightly concave base with 'Italy' etched in the underside in that Bitossi 'font'. The body shape is widely cylindrical with a reverse tapered neck and flared rim somewhat reminiscent of a Moroccan tagine...
Ceramic
