Vintage Bitossi Ashtray: Mid-Century Modern Italian Ceramic, Rimini Blue

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The Bitossi "Rimini Blue" collection, created by designer Aldo Londi for the Italian ceramics house Bitossi in the 1950s, is … Read more The Bitossi "Rimini Blue" collection, created by designer Aldo Londi for the Italian ceramics house Bitossi in the 1950s, is one of the most iconic and recognizable styles of Mid-Century Modern Italian pottery.

The design is distinctive for two key elements: the glaze and the engraved pattern.

1. The Glaze: "Rimini Blue"
Color: The base color is a vibrant and characteristic deep turquoise or sapphire blue, sometimes described as a cobalt or cerulean blue. This rich blue hue gives the collection its name.

Finish: The glaze has a lustrous, semi-glossy finish.

Effect: The glaze is intentionally textured and multi-layered, often featuring flecks or subtle variations of green, gold, and brown within the blue. This creates a shimmering, deep, and complex surface that catches the light and adds depth.

2. The Pattern and Engraving
Technique: The entire surface of the ceramic piece (vases, bowls, animal figures, lamps) is covered with a series of dense, hand-etched, geometric motifs. This is done before the glaze is applied.

Motifs: The patterns are abstract, often consisting of squares, dots, circles, rectangles, and dashes arranged in repeating, irregular bands and grids.

Texture: This engraving process gives the surface a tactile, rough texture underneath the smooth, glassy glaze, which highlights the geometric patterns and adds to the handmade feel of the pieces.

The combination of the striking blue glaze and the intricate, hand-scored geometric decoration is what makes the Rimini Blue line a celebrated example of postwar Italian craftsmanship and design. See less