Bitossi Ceramics and Aldo Londi: icons of mid-century modern Italian design

The captivating history of Bitossi Ceramiche originates in the ceramic heartland of Tuscany, just a few kilometres from Florence, in Montelupo Fiorentino. This region has been an important centre for pottery production since the Renaissance, with Bitossi ancestors active there since the 1530s. The company was formally established in 1921 by Guido Bitossi as the Manifattura Maioliche Artistiche Guido Bitossi, initially focusing on traditional Tuscan pottery.

Aldo Londi: traditional craftsmanship influenced by ideas from outside Italy

The firm's pivotal shift toward Mid-Century Modern aesthetics began after World War II, driven by the exceptional talent of local native Aldo Londi (1911–2003). Londi, who started working in ceramics at the age of eleven, became Bitossi's Artistic Director in 1946, a role he maintained for over fifty years. He was an eclectic artist, functioning as a painter, sculptor, and primarily a ceramicist, bringing bold research and technical expertise to the company. Londi introduced a new expressive language by blending traditional craftsmanship with influences from Etruscan, African, and Asian art. During his prolific career, he designed over a thousand diverse ceramic objects, including vases, bowls, clocks, and animal figurines.

Rimini Blu series

Londi's most recognised and collectible contribution is the Rimini Blu series, which has been in continuous production since 1959. This iconic collection is instantly distinguishable by its vibrant blue glaze, sometimes called Persiano Blue, and its textured surfaces. The surfaces feature impressed abstract and geometric patterns, creating a tactile quality that recalls the play of light on the sea.