Bitossi Italy for Raymor Ceramic and Glass Mosaic Centerpiece Bowl Catchall
About the Item
- Creator:
- Attributed to:Aldo Londi (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 1.75 in (4.45 cm)Width: 10.63 in (27.01 cm)Depth: 7.07 in (17.96 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Atlanta, GA
- Reference Number:
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.
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: Atlanta, GA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Bitossi Italy for Raymor Ceramic Ashtray Bowl Centerpiece with Glass MosaicBy Aldo Londi, Bitossi, RaymorLocated in Atlanta, GAThis superb massive ceramic decorative centerpiece or cigar ashtray was crafted by Bitossi, Italy, in the 1960s, with a design by Aldo Londi. Imported and distributed in the United S...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche
MaterialsCeramic, Glass, Faience
- Bitossi for Rosenthal Netter Yellow Ceramic Box and Vide Poche Set, Italy 1960sBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated in Atlanta, GAThis is a striking 1960s Mid-Century Modern Aldo Londi for Bitossi ceramic set of three pieces, a box, and vide poche or catchalls. This set is imported and distributed in the United...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsCeramic, Faience
- Aldo Londi for Bitossi Italy Mondrian Design Ceramic Table Lamp, 1960sBy Bitossi, Raymor, Aldo LondiLocated in Atlanta, GAThis striking 1960s Aldo Londi for Bitossi geometric ceramic table lamp was imported and distributed in the United States by Raymor of New York. This table lamp features a "Mondrian" style design with a cylindrical geometric shape and a bright yellow semi-gloss enamel finish contrasted by a textured matte black. There is no visible maker's mark. For fifty years, Bitossi's creative director, Aldo Londi, brought the ceramics manufacturer into the modern era with his abstract motifs and vivid use of colors. The lamp does not come with the shade photographed (for in situ only purpose). The table lamp electricity was updated to fit US standards. The harp and finial are included with the lamp sale...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsFaience, Ceramic
- Space Age Danish Carved Wood Bowl Centerpiece Catchall Vide Poche, 1980sBy Space Age ProductsLocated in Atlanta, GAThis exquisite modernist Space Age Danish carved bowl, catchall, or desk accessory boasts lovely wood marquetry. This vide poche has a geometric wavy shape with a typical spatial shi...Category
Vintage 1980s Danish Space Age Decorative Bowls
MaterialsWood
- Italian Resin Centerpiece Bowl with Leaves and Flowers InclusionsBy ResinplastLocated in Atlanta, GAResinplast, Italy, designed this gorgeous decorative Resin bowl, centerpiece, or serving dish in the 1970s. This extra-thick transparent resin or acrylic deep-rounded oversized bowl ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsResin, Acrylic, Lucite
- Resin Centerpiece Bowl, Leaves and Flowers Inclusions, Italy 1970sBy ResinplastLocated in Atlanta, GAResinplast, Italy, designed and manufactured this stunning resin decorative bowl or centerpiece circa 1970. The extra thick clear resin or acrylic deep rounded oversized serving bowl...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsResin, Acrylic, Lucite
- Midcentury Raymor Hand-Painted Italian Ceramic Centerpiece BowlBy Raymor, BitossiLocated in Cincinnati, OHThis unusual ceramic centerpiece bowl was made in Italy for American importer Raymor. The piece has an elongated scoop form and has been hand-painted in shades of blue and green. The...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsCeramic
- Aldo Londi for Bitossi Large Ashtray or Catchall, Italian CeramicBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated in St.Petersburg, FLLovely and large ashtray or catchall designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. Stunning colors and patterns. Well proportioned at 2.75” tall and 8.5” wide.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsCeramic
- Rimini Blu Catchall Ashtray by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Made in ItalyBy Aldo Londi, Raymor, BitossiLocated 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
- Aldo Londi Bitossi Rimini Blu Glazed Ceramic Centerpiece Bowl, 1950sBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated in Barcelona, ESMid-Century Modern blue glazed ceramic (Rimini Blu) round footed bowl or centerpiece, Italy, 1950s-1960s. Designed by Aldo Londi and manufactured by Bitossi. Handcrafted in Italy wit...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsCeramic, Pottery, Terracotta
- Bitossi Raymor Postmodern Catch-it-all Ceramic Bowl in Glossy FinishBy Bitossi, RaymorLocated in San Diego, CAVersatile catch-it-all ceramic bowl made in Italy, circa 1980's black glossy finish with green decorative lines, great condition no chips or cracks signed Italy at the bottom.Category
Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Ceramics
MaterialsCeramic
- Mid-century Modern Bitossi Ceramic and Mosaic BowlBy BitossiLocated in Waddinxveen, ZHA Bitossi bowl, ceramic and mosaic glass, various colors. Small scale white glazed rectangular low bowl with mosaic glass. Signed on the bottom with numbers and Italy.Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
MaterialsCeramic