Aldo Londi For Bitossi - Rare Pocket Tray / Cigar Ashtray In Rimini Blu - 1960s

Creator: bitossi ceramiche (manufacturer), aldo londi (designer). Style: mid-century modern / 1960s / brutalism. Place of origin / date of manufacture: Montelupo Fiorentino, Italy, early 1960s. Condition: excellent.Wear consistent with age and use. No chips or cracks. An Italian handmad eglazed ceramic square vide-poche / ashtray by Aldo Londi, in the Sahara collection range. This particular piece was produced by bitossi ceramiche and sold in Antwerp (Belgium) by Mathot-Vanhoffelen, one of the very important design shops at the time. The piece still has the label at the back, proving its manufacturing early in the Aldo Londi / Bitossi production and allowing to date it in the 1960s or early 1970s. For the collector, this element makes the piece a desirable item of the 1960s. The tray features a very deep "rimini blue" with some green hues, the result of several layers of glaze, which unfortunately bitossi do not manage to obtain in their contemporary pieces, and has a beautiful sheen. The hand carved patterns of lines, dots and xs on the dish produce a brutalist mid-century modern aesthetic.the whole is finished in a gorgeous high-quality glaze. This piece, in excellent vintage condition, will be a nice addition placed alone or as a part of a collection in a contemporary or classical decoration. Master italian ceramist aldo londi (1911-2003) created a range of decorative objects for the manufacturer bitossi. In addition to the small-scale animal sculptures for which he is best known, Londi designed a variety of ceramics for the famous company that includes vases, bowls and desk accessories. This cigar tray is widely considered as one of the most iconic pieces in his production. A detailed certificate will be provided to the buyer on our gallery letterhead. Key words: Aldo Londi / Bitossi / Ceramics / Ceramiche / 1950 / 1960 / Rimini Blue.