Bitossi Rimini Blu Cookie Jar by Aldo Londi for Raymor Made in Italy
About the Item
- Creator:Raymor (Retailer),Aldo Londi (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 9.88 in (25.1 cm)Diameter: 6.63 in (16.85 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Mid 20th Century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Tiny chipping along embossed pattern. Two tiny chips on underside of lid.
- Seller Location:Fulton, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5539236844212
Aldo Londi
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.
Raymor
Few had their finger on the pulse of American furniture like importer and distributor Raymor. Founder Irving Richards first had his eyes opened to the world of furniture while attending the 1928 Salon d’Automne art and design fair in Paris. He joined Lightolier two years later and developed its business relationships, including with designer Russel Wright.
Wright and Richards met in 1935 and Russel Wright, Inc. was formed in 1936. Its American Modern ceramic tableware, produced under the name Wright Accessories in 1938, was a notably lucrative collaboration. Following the early success of American Modern, Richards obtained the majority share of Wright Accessories and changed its name to Raymor Mfg Division Inc. in 1941.
By 1952, the exclusivity over American Modern had ended (the line was initially produced by Wright Associates and later manufactured by Steubenville for two decades). To keep up with American markets, Raymor worked with prominent designers such as George Nelson, Ray and Charles Eames, and Hans J. Wegner.
The company’s imports expanded to Denmark, which contributed to the rise of Scandinavian modern designs in the American market. Throughout the 1950s, Richards established relationships with factories in Scandinavia, Italy and Germany, as well as with the influential tastemaker and importer Charles Stendig.
The furniture company Simmons bought Raymor in 1963 and changed its name to Raymor Richards, Morgenthau Inc. in 1969. During that time, Raymor’s Omnibus range of Scandinavian-style wall units became widely popular, along with Italian glass and pottery like Bitossi ceramics designed by Aldo Londi and Bagni ceramics by Alvino Bagni.
Shifting styles coupled with rising competition, and the departure of Richards from the company, ended Raymor. By the late 1970s, Raymor faced a wave of international factories able to produce similar products of lesser quality for a lower cost. Buyers were eager to frequently change their interior styles, limiting the need for high-end, durable furniture, which Raymor had been importing.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Raymor ceramics, lamps, decorative objects and more.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Fulton, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Folk Art Face Jug by Chester HewellBy Chester HewellLocated in Fulton, CAChester Hewell grotesque face jug. Artist signed and dated 1994. Drippy monochromatic glaze. Measures 10.75"H. Chester Hewell: Seven generations of Hewel...Category
Late 20th Century American Ceramics
MaterialsEarthenware
- Polia Pillin Pair Studio Pottery PlatesBy Polia PillinLocated in Fulton, CAA pair or two Polia Pillin California Studio pottery plates. Excellent condition. Please excuse some glare in photographs.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
MaterialsCeramic
- Polia Pillin Mid-Century Studio Pottery PlateBy Polia PillinLocated in Fulton, CAA Polia Pillin California Studio pottery plate / charger. String instrument with dancer. Two flea bites at upper rim. Noticeable upon close inspection. Please excuse some glare in ph...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
MaterialsCeramic
- Foo Dogs, Late 20th CenturyLocated in Fulton, CAA pair of hand painted ceramic foo dogs made in Japan in the late 20th century. Retain original price tag from Macy's Department Store. Japanese...Category
Late 20th Century Japanese Anglo-Japanese Ceramics
MaterialsCeramic
- Decorated Celadon VaseLocated in Fulton, CABeautifully decorated porcelain Celadon vase. Decoration appears to be grape vines with medallions of the Phoenix bird. Measures 12.13 inches tall. Faint, undecipherable signature on...Category
Late 20th Century Korean Chinese Export Ceramics
MaterialsCeramic
- Tambour Door Credenza by Milo Baughman for Glenn of CaliforniaBy Glenn of CaliforniaLocated in Fulton, CAA fine Mid-Century Modern, Glenn of California, tambour door credenza. Features 2 sliding tambour doors and 4 drawers. Black glass top insert. (waterproof top word work well as a bar...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsGlass, Walnut
- Rimini Blu Catchall Ashtray by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Made in ItalyBy Bitossi, Aldo Londi, RaymorLocated in Miami, FLItalian handmade ceramic vide-poche or catchall tray in the vibrant signature blue of Aldo Londi's iconic art pottery collection Rimini Blu, orig...Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays
MaterialsCeramic
- Bitossi Aldo Londi Rimini Blu Ceramic Vase, Italy, 1960sBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in Barcelona, ESRare design by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. Rimini Blue ceramic footed vase with geometric motifs, Italy, 1960s This stunning glazed ceramic vase has a pattern with circles in dark blue with rhombus inside in shades of green / turquoise color accented by decorative flowers. Excellent vintage condition. This piece is perfect as a gift idea and it could placed alone or with other 'Rimini Blu'Bitossi pieces creating a set. Display it in a cabinet or on a console table, with flowers or just as a cool decorative vase. Measures: 22 cm height x 18 cm diameter (8,66 in height X 7,08 in diameter ) More Bitossi Aldo Londi pieces are avaliable at our 1stdibs marketplace. About Bitossi (Manufacturer) Like a Fellini movie, the ceramics of this famed Italian company embody a creative spectrum that ranges from the playful and earthy to the high-minded and provocative. Based in Florence, Bitossi Ceramiche draws on craft traditions that date back to the 1500s. These find expression in the artisanal 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. The company 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 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. Starting in the 1950s, some 20 years before he founded the Memphis Postmodern design...Category
Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- Aldo Londi for Bitossi Rimini Blu Vase and Lidded Jar with Floral DecorationBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated in Cincinnati, OHThis ceramic vase and lidded jar were designed by Aldo Londi, art director for Bitossi ceramiche in Montelupo, Italy. Both pieces feature large stylized flowers and have been finished in Bitossi's rich Rimini blu glaze reminiscent of the Adriatic. The underside of the jar and vase bear stamped and hand-painted manufacturer marks and retain their original Rosenthal-Netter paper labels. The lidded jar measures 16.5" tall with the lid, 5.5" wide at the base and 4.5" across at the mouth. The vase stands 8.5" tall, 6.5" at its widest point and 4.375" across at the mouth and foot. The combined set is substantial and weighs 10lbs. A great addition to an existing Bitossi collection...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
MaterialsCeramic
- 1950s Aldo Londi Ceramic Bitossi Pendant Lamp for Italian RaymorBy Raymor, Aldo LondiLocated in Glendale, CA1950s Aldo Londi Ceramic Bitossi pendant lamp for Italian Raymor. This rare and sculptural Italian ceramic lamp is executed with multi colored glazed horizontal stripes and geometric circular perforations. Only one available in this coloration. Another similar lamps...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsCeramic
- Aldo Londi Terracotta Ceramic Rimini Blue Vase for Bitossi, Italy, 1960sBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in Roma, ITStunning sphere-shaped terracotta ceramic Rimini blue vase for Bitossi. This magnificent set was designed by Aldo Londi in Italy during 1960s. This...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
MaterialsTerracotta, Ceramic
- Aldo Londi Bitossi Rimini Blue Castle LampBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated in Palm Springs, CALovely large Bitossi Ceramic lamp designed by Aldo Londi in Rimini Blue. Unusual castle trellis top. The lamp has been rewired and functions well. The shade can be included but has s...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic