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.
Hot Brass Small Vase by Dal Furlo
By Dal Furlo
Located in Milan, IT
This small vase part of the Hot Brass collection, boasts a contemporary and industrial flair and will be a superb decorative accent in any modern interior, either alone or combined w...
Brass
Red Vase by Dimorestudio
By DIMORESTUDIO, Bitossi
Located in Milan, IT
This striking vase has a simple, rectangular shape, highlighted with a brass strip at the bottom and two different solid finishes, one large strip in pink and a vivid red top. The pi...
Brass
Curve Turquoise Ceramic Vase #2 by Zaven
By Bitossi
Located in Milan, IT
A delicate tone of turquoise was selected for this striking ceramic vase of contemporary sculptural flair. The angular design, coupled with the distinctive channeled surface, states ...
Ceramic
Marmo Tall Green Vase with Gold by Griffe Montenapoleone by Vetrerie di Empoli
By Vetrerie di Empoli
Located in Milan, IT
This exquisite vase features an elongated oval body handcrafted of glass with a stunning marble appearance that will make a luxurious statement in any decor. The emerald green glass ...
Gold
Wide Pink and Ochre Vase by Dimorestudio
By DIMORESTUDIO, Bitossi
Located in Milan, IT
This unique vase has a modern appeal thanks to its contemporary wide rectangular shape. This piece will make a striking visual appearance anywhere it is placed and its long slender rectangular opening at its top makes it perfect for holding many flowers. The inside of this handmade ceramic piece is glazed in a subtle pink while the outside is glazed in ocher. Two elements in an antique gold color...
Brass
Seta Series Vase with Gold Accents by Aldo Londi
By Bitossi
Located in Milan, IT
Vase shaped on a red clay wheel featuring vertical comb incisions typical of the seta series. Decorated with lilac, pink, and violet bands, it is detailed with third-fire gold accent...
Ceramic
Green Blue and Brass Patina India Vessel I, Pia Wüstenberg
By Pia Wüstenberg
Located in Geneve, CH
Green blue and brass Patina India Vessel I, Pia Wüstenberg. Dimensions: D 20 x H 38. Materials: glass, wood, brass. Available in other metal: copper, brass patina. Handmade in ...
Brass
Gold Luster Small Kósmos Vase by deBlona
Located in Geneve, CH
Gold Luster Small Kósmos Vase by deBlona Dimensions: D 30 x H 44 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Colors: Gold 24Kt luster, matte finish available in various colors. The ‘Kósmos’ vase exude...
Ceramic
Green Blue India Vessel I, Pia Wüstenberg
By Pia Wüstenberg
Located in Geneve, CH
Green blue India vessel I, Pia Wüstenberg Dimensions: D 20 x H 38 Materials: glass, wood, copper Available in other metal: copper, brass patina Handmade in Europe, by individua...
Copper
Large Green Blue India Vessel II, Pia Wüstenberg
By Pia Wüstenberg
Located in Geneve, CH
Large green blue India vessel II, Pia Wüstenberg Dimensions: D 30 x H 55 Materials: glass, wood, metal Available in other metals: brass, copper Handmade in Europe, by individua...
Metal
Sandra Zeenni Turquoise Ceramic Vessel
By Sandra Zeenni
Located in New York, NY
Sandra Zeenni “Turquoise Vase Wa”, 2014. Stoneware vase with matte turquoise glaze. Signed SaZe. Based in Paris, Sandra's work has been included in museum exhibitions, recen...
Ceramic
Green Medium Vase by Mason Editions
Located in Geneve, CH
Green medium vase by Mason Editions Dimensions: 21 × 21 × 21.5 cm Materials: Iron Colors: cotto, sage green, black The collection includes three objects with different shapes and functions. Mia’s decisive impression is given by the contrast created between the soft lines of the lower part and the use, for the upper part, of a strongly architectural material that is a perforated metal sheet. A divergence that is further highlighted by the marked squaring of the decoration chosen for the sheet, gracefully polished by the treatment in two finishes, brass or nickel, while the lower part is painted with opaque colors but with strong materiality. This wide-cylinder vase is a versatile chic...
Iron
