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 Blue Ceramic Table Lamp, Mid-Century Modern, 1960s
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in New York, NY
Aldo Londi Bitossi Blue Ceramic Table Lamp, Mid-Century Modern, 1960s. Hand tooled decoration. Chunky ceramic table lamp glazed in Rimini blue and green and decorated with rows of ha...
Ceramic
Mid-century Italian ceramic table lamp in blue/green shade by Bitossi
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Beautiful ceramic glazed table lamp designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. This lovely lamp is made of ceramic with stripes in blue and turquoise shades. - Height of the lamp incl. soc...
Ceramic
Raymor Blue & Green Pottery Table Lamp
By Raymor
Located in New York, NY
Blue and green pottery table lamp by Raymor. Italy, circa 1950. Rewired with French black silk twist cord and patinated brass hardware. ...
Metal
Large Mid-Century Modern Blue Terracotta Pottery Table Lamp Bitossi Style
By Bitossi
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Mid-Century Modern terracotta pottery large table lamp. In the style of Bitossi. Newly wired with brass hardwire & 3 way socket. Clear cord. No chips or breaks. Dimensions: 27.5 High...
Terracotta
$2,500
H 30 in W 9 in D 9 in
Aldo Londi Bitossi Italian Mid Century Modern Blue Ceramic Glazed Table Lamp
By Bitossi
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Aldo Londi Bitossi Italian Mid Century Modern Blue and White Ceramic Glazed Table Lamp. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 30" H (to finial) x 22" H (to light socket) x 9"...
Ceramic
Ugo Zaccagnini Mid-Century Italian Ceramic Table Lamp, Turquoise Glaze
By Ugo Zaccagnini
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century Italian vivid turquoise / blue glossy crackle glaze ceramic table lamp in ovoid form with a tapered neck leading to a brushed pewter metal stem and functioning cupped lig...
Metal, Aluminum, Pewter
$2,230
H 14.57 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in
Large Blue 20th Century Ceramic Table Lamp by Jean Maubrou circa 1940 Art Deco
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Jean Maubrou (1900-1965) Large art deco ceramic table realised by Jean Maubrou circa 1940 Blue ceramic glaze color Original perfect condition ...
Ceramic
Large Aldo Londi Style Blue Rimini Art Pottery Lamp
By Aldo Londi
Located in Van Nuys, CA
A large, 29" tall Mid-century era blue Rimini art pottery lamp reminiscent of the style made famous Aldo Londi. The lamp features a blue Rimini finish with a brass neck that connects to a brass light...
Brass
Substantial Aldo Londi Bitossi Incised Blue & Green Pottery Table Lamp, 1950's
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Tall Aldo Londi for Bitossi incised blue and green glazed table lamp distributed by Rosenthal Netter. Featuring a classic handcrafted Londi form, horizont...
Brass
$1,162
H 11.03 in W 5.91 in D 5.91 in
20th century design blue ceramic table lamp by Pol Chambost 1950 lighting
By Pol Chambost
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Pol Chambost Realised circa 1950 20th century design blue ceramic table lamp Original perfect ceramic condition Signed under the base MADE IN FRANCE Electrical system is ok Th...
Ceramic
