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Bitossi Urns

Italian

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.

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Creator: Bitossi
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Vase / Urn
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in San Francisco, CA
Rare midcentury Studio pottery vase - handmade - featuring a color block palette of mustard and brown glazes with a white glazed interior - textured finish - signed on the base - Ita...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bitossi Urns

Materials

Ceramic

Aldo Londi Chinese Modern Lidded Vessel for Rosenthal Netter Bitossi Italy 1960s
By Bitossi, Rosenthal Netter, Aldo Londi
Located in Miami, FL
An Aldo Londi Chinese Series vessel retailed by Rosenthal Netter and produced by Italian manufacturer Bitossi. This Mid-Century Modern line of pottery vessels and figures, Chinese was produced with a textured Etruscan Salt Glaze which produced a rough Lava exterior. The blue-green colored glazed and gilt painted bands were used to simulate ancient Chinese bronze vessels...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bitossi Urns

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Monumental Ceramic Vase by Bitossi
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Possibly unique with its enormous 32" height and spare modern glyph glaze decoration. Attributed to ceramicist Aldo Londi. Signed and labeled to underside. Distributed by Raymor.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Bitossi Urns

Materials

Ceramic

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Midcentury Aldo Londi Blue Ceramic Italian Centerpiece for Bitossi, 1960s
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Bitossi Aldo Londi Rimini Blue Ceramic Vase, 1960s
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
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'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

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Materials

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Beautiful 1960s red vase with the design and creation attributed to Aldo Londi and Bitossi. The vase is marked on the bottom with "Made In Italy" and a...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bitossi Urns

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Aldo Londi for Bitossi Large Vase
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
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Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bitossi Urns

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Bitossi urns for sale on 1stDibs.

Bitossi urns are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of ceramic and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Bitossi urns, although blue editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original urns by Bitossi were created in the mid-century modern style in italy during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider urns by Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Cenedese, and Capodimonte. Prices for Bitossi urns can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $500 and can go as high as $4,900, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,700.
Questions About Bitossi Urns
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    No, not all Bitossi is signed. A small number bear no marks at all. Most have either a hand-applied signature or a stamp that says "Italy" or "Made in Italy." You'll find a collection of expertly vetted Bitossi decorative objects and lighting on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024
    To identify a Bitossi, look for the maker's markings on the bottom and other inconspicuous areas. Beginning in the 1950s, Bitossi typically marked its pottery with a handwritten style number and the words "Made in Italy" or "Italy." After the 1970s, the Italian company started to imprint its name on its pieces. However, some Bitossi pottery is unmarked. As a result, you may want to consult a certified appraiser or a knowledgeable dealer for assistance with identification. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse assortment of Bitossi pottery.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024
    No, Flavia and Bitossi are not exactly the same. The company Gruppo Colorobbia produces both Flavia and Bitossi pottery. Beginning in 1976, the Flavia collection featured more decorative art pieces than the Bitossi line. In 1994, Gruppo Colorobbia began calling everything Bitossi. However, you can find some select pottery that bears both the Flavia and Bitossi names. Explore a wide range of Bitossi pieces on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024
    The history of Bitossi pottery began in 1926, when Guido Bitossi founded his shop in Montelupo Fiorentino, near Florence, Italy. He descended from a long line of artisans, including painters, sculptors and potters. His son Londi became the creative director of Bitossi in 1946 and was responsible for introducing the colorful glazes that Bitossi has become famous for during his 50-year tenure. During the 1950s, Ettore Sottsass began to design unique pieces for Bitossi, and his geometric bowls and vases redefined the art form of pottery and set major trends during the mid-century period. After Londi Bitossi stepped down, a new generation of the family took over, with Guido's granddaughter Cinzia Bitossi serving as artistic director and his great-granddaughter Ginevra Bocin acting as CEO. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Bitossi pottery.

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