Oversized Ceramic Lamp by Aldo Londi for Bitossi
About the Item
- Creator:Aldo Londi (Designer),Bitossi (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 39.5 in (100.33 cm)Diameter: 9 in (22.86 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. No chips or cracks, no discoloring whatsoever. Very nice vintage.
- Seller Location:East Hampton, NY
- Reference Number:
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 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 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.
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 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: North Miami, FL
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Oversized Snail Shell Ceramic Table LampLocated in East Hampton, NYThis outstanding oversized snail shell on nickel base lamp has so many details to love. The shell is large and intricate in its design. Double cluster sock...Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsNickel
- Bitossi for Raymor Chunky and Oversized Ashtray/ CachepotBy Raymor, BitossiLocated in East Hampton, NYWonderful rich blue base and grayish white top glazed ceramic ashtray. So many beautiful details to this large round bowl.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays
MaterialsCeramic
- Original Stiffel Pair of Oversized Midcentury Ceramic LampsBy StiffelLocated in East Hampton, NYPair of Mid-Century Modern glazed ceramic bottle vase form lamps on bronze bases, in bone with grey striations and subtle craqueleur to glazing. Double cluster sockets and silk rewir...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Oversized Raspberry Murano Glass Lamps W/ Silver Foil Inclusions by BarovierBy BarovierLocated in East Hampton, NYThese are an elegant pair of raspberry hue Murano glass lamps with silver foil inclusions throughout. Beautiful swirled base and body - illuminated or not, they make a stunning state...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMurano Glass
- Oversized Studio Textured Pottery Table LampLocated in East Hampton, NYNewly rewired in brown silk cable and double socket cluster, finished in oil bronze base. Note: shade not included.Category
Vintage 1960s American Table Lamps
MaterialsPottery
- French Black Ceramic Lamp by Jean Marais SIGNEDBy Jean MaraisLocated in East Hampton, NYWonderful chic and simple design by Jean Marais, France 1960's in black ceramic with elongated neck and bulb base, trimmed with brass at bottom. Rewired with NEW silk twisted cable....Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic
- Aldo Londi, Bitossi Italian Ceramic LampsBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated in New York, NYPair of Italian hand decorated ceramic lamps feauring a light brown background and exhuberant stylized fauna and flowers in light blue, lilac, and celadon. Rewired for use in the USA...Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic
- Large Ceramic Lamp by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy, 1970sBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated in SAINT-OUEN, FRMid-Century Modern Space Age ceramic terracotta table or bedside lamp. Nice rattan wicker raffia shade. Italian design like Ettore Sottsass, Venini, Vistosi, La Murrina, Aldo Nason, ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Vintage Italian Ceramic Table Lamp by Aldo Londi for BitossiBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated in London, GBA stunning vintage Italian ceramic table lamp by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. It was made in Italy and dates from around the 1960’s. It is in beautiful rimini blue, with a lovely design ...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic
- Large Italian Mustard Ceramic Lamp by Aldo Londi for BitossiBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated in Los Angeles, CALarge stunning mustard ceramic lamps with rows of etched patterning manufactured by Aldo Londi for Bitossi hand thrown barrel form lamp decorated with an impressed key pattern and Bi...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic
- Monumental Turquoise Glazed Ceramic Lamp by Aldo Londi for BitossiBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated in San Diego, CAMonumental turquoise glazed ceramic lamp by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, circa 1960s. The lamp is in very good working condition and measures 11.5"D x 30"H. The lamp sits on a small wal...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsWood, Ceramic
- Midcentury Table Lamps by Aldo Londi for BitossiBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated in Karlstad, SEPair of Mid-Century Modern ceramic table lamps by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, manufactured in Sweden. Condition: Very good/excellent. Original shades with signs of age. Measures: Heigh...Category
20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic