Mid-Century Italian Ceramic Vide-Poche by Aldo Londi for Bitossi (circa 1960s)

Mid-Century Italian earthenware vide-poche by Aldo Londi for Bitossi (circa 1960s). A rare find, this mid-century ceramic canoe-shaped dish has handles at either end. Above the trademark orange-coloured body is a striking motif of small enamelled squares alternating with larger squares in a gold crackle glaze. As with marks on all Italian pottery of the period, there are no hard-and-fast rules for marks used by Bitossi. This piece has a stock number painted on the underside (100 / 30) along with 'ITALY', denoting that it was made for export. This rare Londi bowl is in good overall condition with no evident defects or restorations. Please enjoy the many photos accompanying this listing. Upon request a video will be provided.

About the Artist: Aldo Londi (1911-2003), nicknamed chiodo (nail), did not come from a family of potters, but showed an early aptitude for working with clay. He apprenticed at Fratelli Fanciullacci aged 11. Within a few years he had gained enough skill to work on his own and began to study decorating. His development was interrupted by military service. In 1940 he was captured by the Allies and imprisoned in South Africa. He remained there for five years, during which time he learnt English and set up a small kiln and rudimentary pottery. His brother-in-law, Marcello Bitossi, encouraged him to join the Bitossi factory. His talents became evident almost immediately, and the family appointed him artistic director, a position that he maintained for three decades until his retirement in 1976 (ref: 'Alla Moda - Italian Ceramics of the 1950s-70s', by Mark Hill).

Dimensions:

W 30 cm / 11.8"

H 3 cm / 1.2" 

D 7 cm / 2.8"