Master Italian ceramist Aldo Londi created a range of decorative objects in the latter half of the 20th century for the manufacturer Bitossi. In addition to the small-scale animal sculptures for which he is best known, Londi designed a variety of ceramics for the famed company that includes vases, bowls and desk accessories. Collectors know that vintage Aldo Londi pottery is marked by deep attention to detail and an integration of rich, alluring hues typically associated with the Mediterranean.
Londi was born in Montelupo Fiorentino, just outside of Florence, an area that has been known for its pottery since the Renaissance. Londi showed an early interest in the craft, apprenticing at the Fratelli Fanciullacci ceramic workshop when he was only 11 years old. He worked at the company until he left to fight in World War II. After returning to Montelupo Fiorentino in 1946, Londi became the creative director at Bitossi — a position he held for more than 50 years.
Londi's fresh and unique style breathed new life into Bitossi. He prioritized the production of high-quality and handmade decorative objects and created many of Bitossi's pottery lines himself. The most famous of Londi's Bitossi collections is the Rimini Blu line of animals and vases, which debuted in 1955. The collection is characterized by geometric and whimsical patterns and is recognizable for its marvelous blue color.
Londi's fame and popularity extended outside of Italy with the help of Raymor. The American import and distribution company introduced many esteemed Italian manufacturers such as Bitossi to boutiques and department stores in the United States. After Raymor founder Irving Richards hired Ettore Sottsass to design ceramics, Richards connected his new recruit to Londi. Decades before he founded a legendary postmodern design collective in Milan called the Memphis Group, Sottsass used the Bitossi kilns to create timeless works that manifest both primitive forms and modern geometries.
In 2021, Bitossi opened the Bitossi Archive Museum at its Montelupo Fiorentino headquarters. Many of the works designed by the company's most esteemed contributor and artistic director, Aldo Londi, are proudly displayed.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Aldo Londi serveware, lighting, decorative objects and more.
Aldo Londi Bitossi Vase, Ceramic, Mid-Century Modern, Italy, 1960
By Aldo Londi
Located in Paris, IDF
ALDO LONDI. vase, ceramics, Bitossi, Italy, around 1960 A rare Model stamped on the reverse. Good condition. Crackling frenzy.
Ceramic
Mid-Century Italian Rimini Blu Pottery Vase by Aldo Londi for Bitossi 1960s
By Aldo Londi
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Italian Rimini Blu Pottery Vase by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional informati...
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
Decorative Vase Blue Ceramic by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy 1970s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury beautiful cylindrical decorative vase in glazed blue ceramic attributed to Aldo Londi for Bitossi. Vase cylinder decorated with several bands of organic and geometric impressed patterns. Made in Italy in the 1970s. Vase also retains original "The Seahorse...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Italian Rimini Blu Pottery Vase by Aldo Londi for Bitossi
By Aldo Londi
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Italian Rimini Blu Pottery Vase by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Mat...
Ceramic
$450
H 4.75 in Dm 6.38 in
Vintage Italian Modern Ceramic Rimini Blu "Ikano" Vase by Aldo Londi for Bitossi
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage ceramic vase designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi's "Ikano" series (ca. 1960s, Italy). Features an attractive geometric/circular pattern in Bitossi's iconic Rimini Blu glaze co...
Ceramic
$883Sale Price|20% Off
H 8.27 in Dm 7.88 in
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
$396Sale Price|20% Off
H 14 in Dm 5 in
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
Mid-Century Modern Rimini Blu Pottery Vase Aldo Londi Bitossi Italy 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern Rimini Blu Pottery Vase by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy, 1960s
Ceramic
$943Sale Price|24% Off
H 12.01 in Dm 5.12 in
Mid-Century Italian Ceramic Trifoglio Range Vase by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, 1964
By Aldo Londi
Located in London, GB
Mid-Century Italian ceramic vase by Aldo Londi for Bitossi (1964). Part of the 'Trifoglio' range designed by Londi which was produced in the 1960s, it presents two glazed central 'bl...
Ceramic
Lamp holder vase by Aldo Londi for Ceramiche Bitossi, 1970 Signed.
By Aldo Londi
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Ceramic lamp holder by Aldo Londi for Ceramiche Bitossi Montelupo, 1970 . Glazed ceramic, hand painted, signed. This rare model was produced in a limited series of pieces, Each wor...
Ceramic, Pottery
Lamp holder vase by Aldo Londi for Ceramiche Bitossi, 1970 Signed.
By Aldo Londi
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Ceramic lamp holder by Aldo Londi for Ceramiche Bitossi Montelupo, 1970 . Glazed ceramic, hand painted, signed. This rare model was produced in a limited series of pieces, Each wor...
Ceramic, Pottery
Vase of the Rimini series by Aldo Londi for Ceramiche Bitossi , 1970
By Aldo Londi
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Rimini Ceramic planter by Aldo Londi for Ceramiche Bitossi Montelupo, 70s. Terracotta, pictorial decoration. Each work created by Bitossi follows a very complex working process, bot...
Ceramic, Pottery
Vase of the Rimini series by Aldo Londi for Bitossi Montelupo pottery, 70s.
By Aldo Londi
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Rimini Ceramic planter by Aldo Londi for Ceramiche Bitossi Montelupo, 70s. Terracotta, pictorial decoration. Each work created by Bitossi follows a very complex working process, bot...
Ceramic, Pottery
Vase of the Rimini series by Aldo Londi for Bitossi Ceramics , 1970
By Aldo Londi
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Rimini Ceramic planter by Aldo Londi for Ceramiche Bitossi Montelupo, 70s. Terracotta, pictorial decoration. Each work created by Bitossi follows a very complex working process, bot...
Ceramic, Pottery
Vase lamp holder produced by Ceramiche Bitossi Montelupo, 70s.
By Bitossi
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Ceramic planter produced by Ceramiche Bitossi Montelupo, 70s. Glazed ceramic, white pictorial decoration. Each work created by Bitossi follows a very complex working process, both in...
Ceramic, Pottery
