Aldo Londi Mid century ceramics for Bitossi
Aldo Londi was born in Montelupo in 1911, and started working for a ceramics manufacturer when he was 11 years old. After being taken prisoner in South Africa during WW2, he returned to Italy and in 1946 was appointed artistic director at Bitossi. He held that position for over 50 years, and created thousand of designs for vases, jugs, animals, candle stick holders and other objects.
Mark Hill Publishing tells us more about Raymor . Who was a US import/ distribution company of home goods and home décor, that by the 1950’s was bringing the work of some of America’s and Europe’s best modern designers into American department stores and boutiques. It was Raymor who helped bring fame and notoriety to Bitossi ceramics.
I love his ceramic birds and their beautiful textural marks and imprints.
Some great shapes and colours.
The Rimini Blu collection of ceramics was created in the early fifties by Aldo. This collection of vases and animals is characterised by their unique blue colouring and irregular texture. Today the collection is regularly the subject of research both for it’s artistic value, stylistic charm and historical importance, with each piece bearing the Bitossi stamp.
I find there is quite a variation in style across the animal range. From the scarily gouged-out eyes of the cat above, to some rounded and smiling creature forms further below.
Those Rimini Blu’s must have been a common site in the sixties and seventies.
Aldo made many forms and styles of ceramics.
Quirky lamp-stands made out of birds, fish or horses.
And many, many shapes with such a variety of decoration.
Probably his most well known or recognisable work were the horses and bulls.
These also came in different colours, however the blue glazes were still the most desirable by far !
There’s an interesting article over on The Vintage Post explaining how to tell the difference between a retro ceramic piece and a modern day version. Does anyone remember some Londi pottery in their home or perhaps have a piece today ?
As an update, Pina, (one very knowledgeable Fishink Blog reader) pointed out that not all of the items featured in my post were made for Bitossi. Apologies for any confusion but now we’re all a little wiser : )
Many thanks to Pina. She has an Aldo Londi Rooster for sale if anyone is interested ! You can get in touch with her here (pintwoar@gmail.com)
PLEASE NOTE… I created this post using information found online. I am not someone with specialised background knowledge of Bitossi or Aldo Londi’s ceramics and therefore can not offer valuations or authentifications concerning either. Thank you
fishinkblog.com 
Oh I adore his animals and birds!
Fab aren’t they : )
Incredible! When I was a child I went to my cousin home and I saw and admire (still I was little, I was ipnotized by that) a blue plate and now I discover which is the author! I adore all of his work. Have a wonderful day e sorry for my bad english!
How lovely that you get a childhood reminder from seeing this. I can understand your English very well. Thanks for your comment : )
I’d love some help identifying some pieces of mine if possible. Some I’m relatively confident, a couple not so much. I’ve emailed Bitossi for help with one with no response, but I’m sure they’re inundated with requests. Thank you in advance to Pina, or anyone else to whom I could send some photos.
Mi parliamo Italiano poco e piace tue Inglese. Ben fatto.
cool things. I love the ‘natural’ look of ceramics, ‘earthy’. makes me feel calm and grounded. Great shapes and colors. Who knows, I might find some of these at the local thrift shop.
If you find any cheap ones Joy then do bear me in mind. I’d love a dog for the mantle piece : )
I’ll keep an eye out…
hi, very helpful article. I am curious do you know anything about the Bitossi signature of the word Italy. Most are printed but I am coming across ones in script that may indicate very early Bitossi. Any ideas? Also your first picture of Londi holding a pot. The glaze on that pot is leaning more deep greeen. Do you have any idea whether this color range was early or late?
Thanks so much
Ann
Hi Ann. Thanks for your comments. I’m afraid you now know as much as I do as I’ve gleaned all my knowledge through the internet. It maybe worth contacting Bitossi yourself here (General information: info@bitossiceramiche.it) for your more specific questions. Good luck and let us know what you discover. Thanks Craig
Some aren’t BITOSSI/LONDI pieces !
Can you tell me which pieces aren’t Bitossi /Londi and I will amend. Sources are taken only from the internet so unfortunately sometimes that information is wrong.
Thank you for using our image of Orange Bitossi Rooster
Great work
Loves from le vieux warehouse
I can also tell which ones are not bitossi too..
Thanks for your message. Please feel free to enlighten me as to which pieces aren’t bitossi. Love the rooster very much : )
If you can e mail me i will send you with marked which ones are which ones not 🙂 Still a great work..
What is the relationship between Londi and Jama Holland? My rimini blue bull is marked Jamaica Holland 79.
A quick bit of googling has shown me this…. (https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/202934570/jema-holland-bull-79-large-modernist) Bitossi style rimini blu, or turquoise blue bull by Jema of Holland. These hard-to-find mid-century bulls were produced around the same time as, and were styled on, the Bitossi bull by Aldo Londi, but are slightly larger. These bulls by Jema are increasing in value and may soon match the Bitossi bulls so are a good investment.
This large and powerful looking bull is hand-painted in varying shades of blues and greens in traditional Bitossi style, with areas of what look like black salt glazing, and is decorated with bands of impressed motifs.
The underside is impressed with the mark ‘Jema HOLLAND 79’, where 79 denotes the model number, not the year.
Mystery solved lol
I have a lamp like the vase in the eighth section, the vase right below the clock. It is striped with the same colors and has the marking of 1400 *Tay (Ive seen the marking on other lamps and its the same with different numbers). Do you have any information I could have on this or if you don’t thank you. I love this lamp so much, it just makes me happy!!!!
Sorry Christina, all I have is in the article, try some of the ceramic forums online for more information. Good luck
My mom collected owls back in the 60’s and 70’s. She has a yellow owl 10 inch candle stand made for Rossenthal Netter. It has original writing on the bottom that says Italy 45/4. I didn’t realize this until she passed away recently and I noticed it going through her things.
Thank you Jerene for sharing your owl story, not a company I’ve heard of, I’ll have to look them up. Hope your mums owl is on display somewhere.. if it’s your taste.
I have a Aldo Kwan yin Buddha head very beautiful is this an expensive piece .and what date would it have been made
Sorry Paula, I have no info re dating or evaluating Aldo’s work, you could try Bitossi themselves or a ceramic auctioneers for a better idea perhaps. Good luck hunting. Cheers Craig
Lovely pictures that will help me identify if I should run into any at yard sales. What do the bottoms look like how would I identify a bitossi piece?
Good question Vicky, I got these pics from the internet so I couldn’t tell you. If you study the pics here I’m sure you’ll be familiar with his style, also does the blue animals in other colours too, google his work for the variations.
Hi . I have a piece that looks classic bitossi . It’s the owl in an orange colour . Wanting help with it . Can I post photos somewhere ?? Thanks
Australia
I’m sorry Joanna but I’m not an authority about Bitossi. I suggest you might try and get in touch with an auctioneers or a ceramics valuation house. Good luck with your searching.
Contact Bitossi. They are still around and have all the original specs.
I have a large 16 inch vase that has some unusual marks on it ( blue, green , and black in color) Kinda looks like stars with lines through it. Can anyone lead me in the right direction to research this.
beautiful pottery
I have what I think is an Aldo for Bitessi Napolean he is marked Italy 4152:. We woukd love to know more about it. It appears to be a money box
I’m confused , the artist is Aldo Londi ? And the company he worked at is Bitossi ? I still don’t understand what signature I’m looking for . Most are just marked Italy I see
Apparently there is a good FB page for posting on where folk can identify genuine Bitossi work. Not all of Aldo’s work is signed, you can find out more by googling Genuine Bitossi or similar terms.
Thank you for the link, but it’s Fishink and not Fishing : )
Please add connection to Rosanthal Netter, Inc. They were retailers for Bitossi also, supplying much of his work in the same period.
Hi Andy, if you have the link please let me know, I had a quick look and cant find it easily online, Thank you