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.
Rare pair of mid-century 'Sevilla' gold glaze table lamps by Bitossi for Bergbom
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi, Bergboms
Located in London, GB
Stunning handmade pair of Bitossi lamps textured and adorned with embossed motif inspired by Renaissance sunburst ornamentation. Finished in rich 22-karat gold glaze. Designed during...
Ceramic
Pair of 1960s ceramic Bitossi gold, black and copper glazed lamps for Bergbom
Located in London, GB
Substantial and beautiful tall pair of Bitossi lamps with hand decorated pattern made by master ceramicist Aldo Londi in the 1960s and sold by Bergboms. Each lamp features a tall cy...
Ceramic
1960s Brass Table Lamps by Bergboms, Swedish Design, Model B08 B01
By Bergboms
Located in London, GB
Chic and practical pair of 1960s Bergboms table lamps. They encapsulate the essence of Bergboms design with simple deep circular base, tall narrow stem and fluted brass electrical so...
Brass
Pair of Modern Table Lamps, Handblown Murano Glass, Brass Base, Italy
Located in London, GB
Super elegant pair of table lamps each consisting of six handblown soft gold sculptured Murano glass disks interspersed with brass detailing. Sits on circular clear glass and brass b...
Brass
Italian Table Lamps, Brass and Murano Glass, Decorative Design, 1960
Located in London, GB
Unusual pair of small dressing-table/table lamps. Decorative brass fitting in the shape of a chamber stick each with a striped shaped glass panel secured by two brass finals. On/off ...
Brass
Pair of Valerie Wade Art Deco inspired Sculptural 'Savoy' Gold Leaf Table Lamps
By Valerie Wade
Located in London, GB
’Savoy’ table lamps inspired by the forties glamour of the Savoy Hotel, London. Handmade in cast plaster. Large smooth sculpted curves designed to look good from all angles. Sold i...
Gold Leaf
Set of Two Huge Gold Glazed Ceramic Table Lamps by Behreno Firenze 1960s Italy
By Behreno, Firenze
Located in München, BY
Set of two huge and amazing Mid-Century Modern gold glazed ceramic table lamps by Behreno, Firenze, 1960s, Italy. Executed in gold glaz...
Ceramic
Pair of mid century Bittosi gilt lamps for Bergboms
By Bergboms
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Near pair of mid century Bittosi gilt lamps for Bergboms circa 1970. Table lamps designed by Bitossi ceramics for well known retailer Bergboms. This is a very near pair, of the sam...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Modern Bitossi Table Lamps, Gold Glazed Ceramic, Italy
By Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Rare pair of voluminous grand scale pair of lamps featuring a textured surface and 22-karat gold glaze. Rewired for use in the USA using brass double pull chain sockets, gold silk co...
Gold
Pair of Mid Century Modern Brass Smoked Glass Table Lamp Bases, 1960s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Mid Century Modern Brass & Bubble Glass Table Lamp Base, 1960s Germany We have many other interesting original lamp bases from the Mid-Century Modern period. The lampshade is inten...
Metal
Pair of Bitossi Table Lamps Gold and Stoneware Ceramic Italy 1970's
By Bitossi
Located in London, GB
Bitossi cylinder shape table lamps where produced in stoneware with a natural glaze. The border at the neck is gilded, the band of shiny gold emphasis the rough texture of the ceramic body. Guido Bitossi established his own ceramic workshop near Florence, in Montelupo, in 1921. Originally the works was named (Ceramaic Manufactory Guido Bitossi & Sons), the company name was later shortened to Bitossi Ceramiche. After World War II, master ceramist Aldo Londi (1911-2003) was appointed creative director of Bitossi Ceramiche, he held that position for more than fifty years. During which time he was the creator of designs for vases, jugs, animals, candle stick holders and other objects. Where he experiment with textures, surface reliefs, glazes and in the process created new ceramics...
Gold
Pair of 1970s Bitossi Gold Ceramic Table Lamps, Mid-Century Modern
By Bitossi
Located in Paris, IDF
pair of table lamps in gold and natural ceramic earthward made by Bitossi Italy around 1970. Price for the pair Good condition Lamp base height 26 cm excluding lampshade
Ceramic, Earthenware
