1960s Aldo Londi for Bitossi Gilded Blue and Green Sgraffito Ceramic Candlesticks, Set of 3

Details

Description

A graduated three-piece candlestick garniture produced in the 1960s by Bitossi Ceramiche in Montelupo Fiorentino, Italy, under the artistic direction … Read more A graduated three-piece candlestick garniture produced in the 1960s by Bitossi Ceramiche in Montelupo Fiorentino, Italy, under the artistic direction of Aldo Londi and imported by Rosenthal Netter.

Wheel-thrown in pale Italian earthenware, each piece features a flared conical base tapering through a constricted neck into a deep cupped bobeche with an integrated central taper socket. The exterior is finished in a high-gloss, two-tone glaze that transitions from rich cerulean blue across the upper body to moss green at the base and interior bowls. Hand-incised sgraffito decoration—comprising bands of concentric circles along the cups and overlapping oval medallions around the lower bodies—is highlighted with hand-applied gold gilt banding and accents.

The two flanking low candlesticks are hand-signed on the glazed green undersides with the characteristic Rosenthal Netter export mark "993 / ITALY" in black underglaze script; the tall centerpiece candlestick is an unmarked companion form from the same series.

Dimensions

Tall Centerpiece: Approx. 13.5" H x 4.5" Diameter

Flanking Pair (Model 993): 7" H x 4" Diameter

Deep dive:
This is a 1960s Italian art pottery candlestick trio produced by Bitossi Ceramiche (Montelupo Fiorentino, Italy) under the creative direction of Aldo Londi, imported for the American market by Rosenthal Netter.

Maker & Attribution
Manufacturer: Bitossi Ceramiche, Italy

Art Director / Designer: Aldo Londi (circa 1960–1968)

Importer: Rosenthal Netter (distinctive black brush-script "993 / ITALY" mark on the glazed green base is the standard export signature used for Rosenthal Netter imports)

Form Number: 993 (for the low taper holders; the tall central candlestick carries a companion shape number in the same series)

Design & Glaze Characteristics
Form & Construction: Wheel-thrown and turned earthenware featuring conical, flared bases transitioning through a constricted neck into deep, cupped bobeches with integrated central taper sockets. The set comprises one tall centerpiece holder and a flanking pair of low taper holders.

Surface & Palette: High-gloss two-tone glaze transitioning from a vibrant cerulean/peacock blue upper body to a moss/chartreuse green base and interior bowl.

Sgraffito & Gilding: Decorated with hand-incised (sgraffito) concentric circles along the cup rim and overlapping oval "peacock eye" medallions around the lower body, accented with hand-applied 22k gold leaf/gilt banding and highlights.

Condition Assessment (From Photos)
Overall Glaze & Gilding: Strong gloss retention with intact gold gilt detailing along the rims, bases, and incised medallions, showing only minor expected age wear to the gilding on the upper edges.

Structural Flaws to Note:

Base Chip: One of the smaller candlesticks (993) has a visible shallow chip along the unglazed foot ring on the underside, revealing the pale buff Italian clay body beneath.

Socket Rim: The close-up interior shot shows a small hairline/glaze stress fracture and minor fleabite wear along the inner candle socket rim (likely from heat or wax removal), which is concealed once a taper candle is inserted.

Market Context
Collectibility: While Aldo Londi's Rimini Blu line is the most ubiquitous Bitossi export, his gilded two-tone blue-and-green sgraffito lines for Rosenthal Netter are scarcer and command strong interest from mid-century Italian ceramic collectors—especially as a graduated three-piece mantle or dining table grouping rather than singletons. See less