The story of Bitossi Ceramiche originates in the heart of Tuscany, just a few kilometers from Florence, in Montelupo Fiorentino, along the banks of the Arno River, where the culture of ceramics has shaped the lives and work of people for centuries.

In 1921, Guido Bitossi founded the Manifattura Maioliche Artistiche Guido Bitossi, merging tradition with the new stylistic expressions of the time. From the very beginning, the production stood out for its attention to detail, the study of form, and a refined interpretation of classical styles.

In the 1950s, under the artistic direction of Aldo Londi, Bitossi inaugurated a new creative season, oriented towards research and innovation. He introduced a modern and experimental language, attentive to changing tastes and the uniqueness of each product.

Painter, sculptor, and above all ceramist, Londi lived a life devoted to art, balancing technical expertise, creative sensitivity, and a natural inclination for research. He collaborated with Bitossi for over fifty years, first as art director and later as a contributor.

Bitossi’s wider design history extends beyond Londi’s best-known ranges. Ettore Sottsass began collaborating with the company in 1955, bringing his architectural approach into dialogue with the workshop’s ceramic knowledge. This meeting of designer and maker helped establish ceramics as a medium for expressive form as well as useful objects.

The iconic Rimini Blu collection:

The ceramics in the Rimini Blu collection are characterised by graphic motifs stamped into the surface texture. It's a fantastical round dance of geometric elements, highlighted by quick touches of colour set beneath the vibrant blue glaze, which the crystalline layer makes luminous like marine reflections.

Produced continuously since 1959, the collection reflects the stylistic and production research that led Londi to constantly experiment with new materials, techniques, and colours.

The distinction between a historic design and the date of an individual object is important for collectors. Bitossi’s Riedizioni Archivio Storico collection, launched in 2003, recreates selected Londi designs from the 1950s to the 1970s in limited editions. These later pieces carry the original design’s inventory number and the historic “Cav. G. Bitossi & Figli” name, so a vintage design reference does not by itself mean that a piece was manufactured in the original period.

Read more about Bitossi Ceramiche and their history here.

Read more in our Collector's Guide to Bitossi Ceramics, covering the history, patterns, and what to look for when buying.

Read more about Bitossi’s designer collaborations here.

Read more about the Historical Archive Reissues here.