In 1921 Guido Bitossi founded the ceramics company Manifattura Cav. Guido Bitossi & Figli in Montelupo, Italy. Aldo Londi became the creative director after WWII, and was the guiding force until the 1980s. Londi designed thousands of forms in addition to the patterns and techniques that were applied to them. His 1950s Rimini Blu collection is the most recognized with its striking layers of blue and turquoise glazes, and many of the pieces are still in production today. Bitossi was distributed in the U.S. by Raymor, one of the most influential importers of modern decorative arts in the mid 20th Century.
Architect Ettore Sottsass designed lines for Bitossi from 1950 through the 1990s. Other notable designers include Marco Zanini, George Sowden, Piero Fornasetti, Karim Rashid, and Arik Levy. Bitossi continues to combine traditional and new techniques with an attention to hand-finishing along with their signature use of enamels and mix of colors. Today Bitossi operates as Ceramica Bistossi under the business name Flavia.
Sadly most vintage pieces are marked with only a hand-inscribed style number and Italy. On pieces imported by Raymor, the letters BIT are sometimes on the paper label. Newer ceramics have Bitossi and Made in Italy printed in ink. – Terri
Tags: 20th century, italian design, pottery, vintage