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.
Table Lamp in Ceramic with Golden Glaze by Bitossi for Bergboms
By Bitossi, Bergboms
Located in Genarp, SE
A golden glazed ceramic table lamp from 1960s. The lamp is designed by Bitossi (Italy) for Bergboms (Sweden). The lamp has new electricity and a older lamp...
Ceramic
Large Bitossi Ceramic Table Lamp, Italy, 1960s
By Bitossi
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Produced by Bitossi during the 1960s, ( not a new production ) this large ceramic table lamp reflects the expressive character of Italian designfrom the post-war period. Finished in...
Ceramic
Gold Glazed Ceramic Table Lamp by Bitossi for Bergboms, 1970's
By Bitossi, Bergboms
Located in Grythyttan, SE
A ceramic table lamp by Bitossi for Bergboms, featuring a luxurious 22-Karat Gold Glaze. Presenting a striking table lamp crafted by Bitossi for Bergboms, these pieces showcase exqu...
Gold
Aldo Londi Table Lamp for Bitossi ceramic Italy 1960
By Bitossi
Located in Paris, IDF
Aldo Londi Table Lamp for Bitossi ceramic with Turquoise glazing made in Italy around 1960 Height of the ceramic body incl.socket: 54 cm. Total height 87 cm; Diameter of the shade...
Ceramic
Midcentury Ceramic Table Lamp Attributed to Bitossi
By Bitossi
Located in Vienna, AT
Ceramic base with green/blue glazie fitted with one E27 socket. Made in Italy in the late 1960s. Delivery time 1-2 weeks.
Brass, Steel
Mid-Century Modern Bitossi Style Ceramic and Brass Table Lamp, Italy
By Raymor, Bitossi, Guido Gambone
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Mid-Century Modern ceramic lava glazed table lamp. This atomic inspired lamp features a dimensional leaf or dart design with metallic gold painted accents. In the style of Bitossi, R...
Brass
Unusual Ceramic Lamp by Bitossi
By Bitossi
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Outstanding and rare lamp by Bitossi, made in Italy ca' 1960's. Beautiful hand painted swirl decoration of orange brown, contrasting with more bulbous and ...
Ceramic
Bitossi, Table Lamp, Chamotte Clay, Gold Leaf, Italy, 1960s
By Bitossi
Located in Stamford, CT
Bitossi, Italian Mid-Century Modern, Table Lamp, Chamotte Clay, Gold Leaf, Italy, 1960s A wonderful chamotte clay table lamp with brass cap and gold-glazed relief pattern. This exam...
Clay
Italian Ceramic and Brass Table Lamp by Bitossi
By Bergboms, Bitossi
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1960’s Italian ceramic and brass table lamp by Bitossi for Bergboms Sweden. Newly rewired with satin brass hardware and new white silk shade. Constructed of ceramic with white and ...
Brass
Italian Ceramic and Brass Table Lamp by Bitossi
By Bitossi
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A rare 1960s Italian ceramic table lamp by Bitossi. The lamp has beautiful circles glazed in gold and copper with a white background. Newly rewired with all new brass hardware, brown...
Brass
