Vintage Ceramic Ashtray by Aldo Londi for the Bitossi Factory, 1950s

Details

Description

Item description:
Large majolica ceramic ashtray, entirely decorated by hand, with floral decorations in light relief in cobalt blue, glazed … Read more Item description:
Large majolica ceramic ashtray, entirely decorated by hand, with floral decorations in light relief in cobalt blue, glazed with feldspar-rich glazes that have allowed for rich vitrification and are reminiscent of four Turkish tiles, while the rim is dark brown with a rough, opaque glaze, giving the impression that it is carved in stone. The ashtray was made by Aldo Londi for the Bitossi factory and belongs to the "Rimini" series. The object is not signed, as is the case with many of the pieces made by this manufacturer, and is quite old, made around 1940-1950. The good patina covering it is perfectly in line with our dating.

Useful information for evaluating the object:
Our internet research shows that similar ashtrays are offered at a minimum of €120-€150 for the smallest, simplest, and least elaborate ones, up to €500-€600 for the larger, more elaborate ashtrays offered on leading online art sales platforms such as Pamono.

Information about the artist and/or manufacturer:
Aldo Londi, born in Montelupo Fiorentino in 1911, began working at a local ceramics factory at a very young age. After completing his apprenticeship, he worked at the Montelupo factory "Ceramiche Artistiche F.lli Fanciullacci" until 1935, when he moved to the "Bitossi Ceramiche" factory. At the end of World War II, after spending a long period of captivity in South Africa, where he set up a primitive kiln, he returned to Italy and resumed working for "Bitossi," where he remained until 1976, continuing to visit occasionally even after his retirement. In 1946, he was appointed artistic director of the factory and, faithful to a serial conception of ceramic products, he began producing highly creative and modern furnishing objects. His works for the Bitossi factory were featured in numerous important exhibitions in the sector, including the fairs in Prague and Dusseldorf, the Milan Triennale, the International Competition of Contemporary Ceramics in Faenza, and the Biennale d'Arte Ceramica in Sesto Fiorentino. He left the management of the factory in 1976. Proof of the high level of quality achieved is the fact that numerous works designed and created by Aldo Londi for the Bitossi factory, known since the 1970s as Ceramiche Flavia, are marketed worldwide by Studio Rosenthal. Aldo Londi died in Montelupo Fiorentino in 2003.


This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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