Ceramic FISH VASE Rimini Blue Design by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:Bitossi (Manufacturer),Aldo Londi (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 8.67 in (22 cm)Diameter: 4.34 in (11 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Kirchlengern, DE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2131331913412
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.
Bitossi
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Kirchlengern, Germany
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- large 43cm Ceramic Table Light by BITOSSI Italy for BERGBOMS, Sweden 1960sBy Bitossi, BergbomsLocated in Kirchlengern, DEArticle: Ceramic table light base Producer: BITOSSI, Italy for BERGBOMS, Sweden Decade: 1960s This original vintage ceramic Pottery light base was produced by BITOSSI in Italy for Swedish light producer BERGBOMS in the 1960s. It is made of solid pottery and has coloration in main color of white beige on the bottom and on the top shining silver tone surface finish. The light base is marked with production number and made in Italy. A very collectible and very rare item of the Bergboms Bitossi collection...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic, Pottery
- Set of 2 West German Ceramic Studio Vase Object by Helmut Schäffenacker, 1960sBy Helmut Friedrich SchäffenackerLocated in Kirchlengern, DEArticle: Ceramic Studio Pottery, set of 2 Decade: 1960s Producer: Atelier Schäffenacker, Ulm Germany Design: Helmut Schäffenacker This fantastic vase...Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
MaterialsCeramic
- Abstract Ceramic Studio Stoneware Vase by Gotlind Weigel, Germany, 1960sBy Gerald Weigel, Gotlind WeigelLocated in Kirchlengern, DEArticle: Ceramic stoneware object - vase Designer and producer: Gotlind Weigel Decade: 1980 (the object is marked with 1180) This original vintage Studio Pottery Object was designed by Gotlind Weigel produced in her own Studio in the 1980s in Mainz Germany. It is made of stoneware pottery ceramic and has a very unique black, blue, beige etc coloration and craquele surface structure due to aging effects. the bottom is marked with typical Weigel Producer signature and number 1180, indicating the year of production 1980s. a very collectible and very rare item of the Weigel Collection. the object has a very sculptural form and in its size of 24 x 16cm and a height of 21cm, it is very impressive. straighforward and minimalistic design of the 1960s design era. This item is a wonderful addition to every modern home. Dimensions: Height 21cm Length 24cm Depth 16cm. Condition: This item is in a very good vintage condition with patina. with craquele traces on the surface due to aging. VITA Weigel: Gotlind Weigel was born on April 25, 1932 in Georgenburgkehlen in Ostpreussen. She is , together with Kuhn , Scheid and Schott, a member of the London Gruppe. She has been working with her husband Gerald Weigel in their studio since 1973. Ceramics from Germany were almost unknown internationally until the late 1960s. This situation changed in 1968 thanks to an exhibition at Henry Rothschild’s Primavera Gallery...Category
Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic, Stoneware, Pottery
- Abstract Ceramic Studio Pottery Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, Germany, 1960sBy Gerhard LiebenthronLocated in Kirchlengern, DEArticle: Ceramic stoneware object Designer and producer: Gerhard Liebenthron Information: Gerhard Liebenthron, Bremen 1925 †2005 Decade: 1960s This ori...Category
Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic, Stoneware, Pottery
- XXL Ceramic Studio Pottery Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, Germany, 1960sBy Gerhard LiebenthronLocated in Kirchlengern, DEArticle: Ceramic stoneware object Designer and producer: Gerhard Liebenthron Information: Gerhard Liebenthron, Bremen 1925 †2005 Decade: 1960s This ori...Category
Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic, Stoneware, Pottery
- Abstract Ceramic Studio Pottery Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, Germany, 1960sBy Gerhard LiebenthronLocated in Kirchlengern, DEArticle: Ceramic stoneware object Designer and producer: Gerhard Liebenthron Information: Gerhard Liebenthron, Bremen 1925 †2005 Decade: 1960s This ori...Category
Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic, Stoneware, Pottery
- Bitossi Aldo Londi Rimini Blue Ceramic Vase, 1960sBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated 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 central part. Its gorgeous shades of blue and the geometric design of the patterns make this vase a highly decorative piece from the Mid-Century Modern period. To create a set. Measures: 15,5 cm H x 9 cm diameter 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...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic, Pottery, Terracotta
- Bitossi Aldo Londi Rimini Blu Ceramic Vase, Italy, 1960sBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated 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 Bitossi Rimini Blue Glazed Ceramic XL Vase, Italy, 1960sBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated in Barcelona, ESA 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 ...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsPottery, Terracotta, Ceramic
- Bitossi Aldo Londi Rimini Blue Ceramic Vase on Sterling Silver Base, 1960sBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated in Barcelona, ES'Rimini blu' glazed ceramic vase on sterling silver pedestal. Designed by Aldo Londi for by Bitossi. Italy, 1960s. This eye-catching vase is made of blue glazed ceramic with engraved patterns surrounding the central part. Its gorgeous shades of blue and the geometric design of the patterns make this vase a highly decorative piece from the Mid-Century Modern period. Rare find due to the sterling silver base. Measures: 20,5 cm height x 16 cm diameter // 8,07 in height x 6,29 in diameter 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...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Midcentury Bitossi Aldo Londi Rimini Blue Glazed Ceramic VaseBy Aldo Londi, BitossiLocated 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...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic, Terracotta, Pottery
- Rimini Blu Ceramic Horse Sculpture by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy, 1960sBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated in Milan, ITCeramic standing horse sculpture by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. Blue crystalline glaze enhancing the details of the decoration.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Animal Sculptures
MaterialsCeramic