Vintage Italian Ceramic Table Lamp by Aldo Londi for Bitossi (circa 1960s)

Mid-Century Italian ceramic table lamp by Aldo Londi for Bitossi (circa 1960s). The lamp presents a lustrous glaze with a central band decorated in yellow circles with blue outer rings over a delightful magenta-hued backdrop of the body. Londi's pieces were inspired by a variety of historical and modern sources. Often, his ceramic ranges carried no maker's mark yet may have other telltale signs such as the production sticker with model number affixed to the underside base. As with all Italian pottery of the period, there are no hard-and-fast rules for marks used by Bitossi. Some pieces are totally unmarked, while others are simply impressed or painted 'ITALY', denoting that they were made for export. It is essential to consider the shape, glaze, clay and form when trying to attribute a piece to Bitossi. Their system was extremely complex and is still being recorded and decoded by the company's archive division (ref: 'Alla Moda - Italian Ceramics of the 1950s-70s', by Mark Hill). This piece is in very good overall condition. Please enjoy the many photos accompanying this listing. Upon request a video will be provided. The lampshade is not included. The piece is currently wired for UK use however, it is easily modified for your location with an adapter or a change of plug fitting.

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:

H 34 cm / 13.4"  (to the top of ceramic)

Dia 27 cm / 10.6"