VIntage Ceramic Vase by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy, 1970s

A vase with a compact, cylindrical silhouette, designed by Aldo Londi for the Italian manufacturer Bitossi. The form is based on distinctly differentiated sections of the body. The characteristic interplay of proportions gives the vessel an almost architectural, sculptural character. The surface is covered with a dark brown, matte glaze featuring a distinctly textured finish, contrasted by a wide band of intense turquoise and blue. The central decoration consists of a regular arrangement of geometric panels with convex, relief motifs. The varying intensity of the glaze emphasizes the depth of the ornament and gives it a distinctive, almost mosaic-like character. The combination of a raw, earthy surface with the saturated color of the glaze is particularly characteristic of Aldo Londi’s experiments with texture and ceramic decoration. The vase represents Italian ceramic design from the second half of the 20th century, in which traditional craftsmanship was combined with a modern approach to form and ornamentation. The color scheme and the relief decorative band reference the aesthetic of the famous Rimini Blu series, developed by Londi for Bitossi.