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.
Postmodern Rimini Blue Ceramic Fish Money Box by Bitossi, Italy
By Bitossi
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. This is a Rimini blue lacquered ceramic money box by Bitossi, one of the most known Italian ceramic company that was founded i...
Ceramic
Aldo Londi Rimini Blue Ashtray for Bitossi
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
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
Mid-Century Bitossi Aldo Londi Cubus Ashtray, Rimini Blue Glaze
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This striking Mid-Century Modern ceramic ashtray was designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi in Italy during the 1950s–60s. Part of the iconic Rimini Blu series, the piece features a bold...
Ceramic, Pottery
1950s Early Aldo Londi for Bitossi Ocean Blue Volcanic Glaze Ashtray, Italy
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Delray Beach, FL
A striking early ceramic ashtray designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi and handcrafted in Italy during the 1950s. Finished in a rich ocean blue glaze over a sculptural volcanic brown an...
Ceramic
Aldo Londi Bitossi Ceramic Ashtray
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Aldo Londi Bitossi ceramic ashtray Italy, circa 1960’s. Manufactured by Bitossi. Organic composition and feel. Marked identification.
Ceramic
$340Sale Price|20% Off
1960's Aldo Londi Bitossi for Raymor Italy Abstract Ceramic Pottery Bird Vase
By Raymor, Bitossi
Located in San Diego, CA
Wonderful vintage Aldo Londi Bitossi ceramic/pottery red ashtray, circa 1960s. Made in Italy and is signed on the bottom. Appears to have never been used. ...
Ceramic
Vintage Mid Century Bitossi Aldo Londi Ashtray Signed Italy
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Ashtray
Ceramic
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
Venice Souvenir Building Ashtray Vintage, Italy, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A 1950s souvenir building architectural model ashtray. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Made of metal. A beautiful nice item to use...
Metal
A modernist Solid Brass Sculpture / Ashtray, Mid-Century Italian
Located in London, Fitzrovia
A modernist Solid Brass table top Sculpture / ashtray, Mid-Century Italian
Brass
Venice Souvenir Building Ashtray Vintage, Italy, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A 1950s souvenir building architectural model ashtray. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Made of metal. A beautiful nice item to use...
Metal
$884
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 Bitossi, Aldo Londi
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 Blu Ceramic Round Bowl, 1950s
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
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
Mid Century Swiss Air DC-8 Chrome Plated Ashtray
By Buhler
Located in Weesp, NL
Introducing a Collector's Dream: Rare 1960s Swiss Air Chrome-Plated Ashtray with a DC8 Airplane Model! Are you ready to own a piece of aviation history that's not just functional bu...
Metal, Brass, Chrome
$2,800 / set
H 5.5 in W 4.25 in D 2.88 in
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Raymor Bookends, Ceramic, Blue, Green, Signed, 1960s
By Raymor, Aldo Londi
Located in New York, NY
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Raymor Bookends, Ceramic, Blue, Green, Signed, 1960s. Small scale stacked, rectangular form, bookends from Aldo Londi's Cordova decor series. Each bookend is g...
Ceramic
$938Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.11 in Dm 3.55 in
Bitossi Aldo Londi Rimini Blue Ceramic Vase, Mid-Century Modern, Italy 1960
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
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
$360 / set
H 3.39 in W 2.36 in D 2.36 in
Mid-Century Modern Onyx Smoking Set with Lighter & Ashtray, Italy
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Gorgeous smoking set in onyx. The table lighter works perfectly. Made in Italy. The items are in excellent condition. Dimension: Table Lighter diameter 2,36 x 3,39 H inches di...
Onyx
Bitossi “Fritte” Ceramic Box, Italy 1960's
By Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Rare Bitossi box with a Mondrian pattern made of fused colored glass.
Ceramic, Glass
$1,415Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.34 in Dm 5.71 in
Aldo Londi Bitossi Rimini Blue Glazed Ceramic XL Vase, Italy 1960
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Barcelona, ES
A giant sized handmade Rimini blue ceramic vase designed by Aldo Londi and manufactured by Bitossi. Italy, 1960s. Blue glazed ceramic with engraved patterns adorning the top of the ...
Pottery, Terracotta, Ceramic
Sold
H 2.5 in W 9.75 in D 9.75 in
Vintage Mid Century Modern Studio Ceramic Ashtray by Aldo Londi for Bitossi
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Delray Beach, FL
A large and visually striking ceramic ashtray by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy, dating to the mid century modern period. Executed in a rich brown glaze, the surface is divided by asy...
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
Rare Bitossi Rimini Blue Ceramic Vase Table Lighter by Aldo Londi
By Bitossi
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Italy Rimini blue Rosenthal Netter ceramic table lighter. Hand impressed and decorated. Great late 60s early 70s colors. This was probably made for Londi Raymor Rosenthal Netter. It is the vintage Eames era...
Ceramic