{"product_id":"rare-aldo-londi-hermaphrodite-centaur-figurine-for-bitossi-italy","title":"RARE ALDO LONDI HERMAPHRODITE CENTAUR FIGURINE FOR BITOSSI (ITALY)","description":"\u003cp\u003eAldo Londi really out-did himself with this one!  Produced by Bitossi at some point in the 1960s, this figure appears to be half human and half beast, while the human half appears to have both masculine and feminine characteristics.  There are breasts on both sides of the figure, but there is also what looks like a 'manly' protuberance at the front.  After all that, what else could be more appropriate to top it all off with than a hat!?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eof the very few of these that we have seen, the rimini decor has always been used, with the exception of this one.  It has been hand painted with a black and white surface decoration and no rimini impressions.  the body is hollow and has been marked on the inside with the form number 4228 and the letter 'B', which likely designates the decor used.  We think it's safe to say that you're highly unlikely to find another quite like it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0in 0in 12.0pt 0in;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #212b36;\"\u003eALDO LONDI (1911-2003)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #212b36;\"\u003e was one of Italy's most noted master ceramicists who spent most of his long and successful career creating exceptional works of great art and craft for the Italian ceramics manufactory Bitossi Ceramiche.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0in 0in 12.0pt 0in;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #212b36;\"\u003eLondi’s hometown just outside of Florence, Montelupo Fiorentino, has been an important center for pottery production since the Renaissance. In 1922, at the age of eleven, Londi started working for Fratelli Fanciullacci, the region’s premier ceramics workshop at the time. Following World War II—upon returning to Italy from South Africa, where he was a prisoner of war—Londi became Bitossi’s Creative Director. He would hold this position for more than 50 years and would design over 1,000 objects—ranging from jugs and vases to clocks and animal figurines.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0in 0in 12.0pt 0in;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #212b36;\"\u003eLondi employed his high-level technical expertise and vast experience in traditional artisanal methods to create distinctively expressive and whimsical forms, patterns, and finishes. Londi’s best-known collection is the 1950s-era \u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';\"\u003eRimini Blu\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e (1955-1965), a now-iconic midcentury modern series encompassing over 150 designs, all glazed in vibrant blue and embossed with abstract motifs and shapes. Londi created \u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';\"\u003eBall Vase,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e his first piece in Persiano Blue, in 1955. Not long after in 1959, he began to create more pieces in this proprietary chromatic finish. The collection holds historical importance because it helped to bring handcrafted works into the modernist design conversation in Italy. Although blue was not the only color Londi utilized, it has become closely associated with his oeuvre. Londi’s last solo collection, \u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';\"\u003eArkitectura\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e (ca. 1950s), was very different from his earlier work; it features elegantly minimalistic animal figures glazed in monochromatic black, white, or platinum.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0in 0in 12.0pt 0in;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #212b36;\"\u003eStarting in 1958, Londi began a fruitful collaboration with legendary architect-designer Ettore Sottsass (1917-2007), who considered Londi to be an important mentor. During his time at Bitossi, Londi also collaborated with Piero Fornasetti (1913-1988), Matteo Thun (b. 1952), and Karim Radhid (b. 1960).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0in 0in 12.0pt 0in;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #212b36;\"\u003eMost of Londi’s collections, including the \u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';\"\u003eRimini Blu\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';\"\u003eAkitectura\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e, are still in production today and are widely collected by ceramics enthusiasts. Many of his original works can be seen at the MAIB–Artistic Industrial Bitossi Museum in Montelupo, which is dedicated to the history of the company.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0in 0in 12.0pt 0in;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0in 0in 12.0pt 0in;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #212b36;\"\u003eBITOSSI CERAMICHE\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #212b36;\"\u003e was established in 1921 as Manifattura Ceramica Cav. Guido Bitossi \u0026amp; Figli by Guido Bitossi in Montelupo Fiorentino in Tuscany—a region with an ancient tradition of ceramics a few kilometers from Florence. The Bitossi family, documented in the area as early as 1536, had for centuries worked there as sculptors, painters, but especially as potters. In the twentieth century, under Guido's leadership, they would introduce an extraordinary stylistic and formal renewal of their craft.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0in 0in 12.0pt 0in;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #212b36;\"\u003eIn the late 1940s master ceramist Aldo Londi (1911-2003) was named BITOSSI CERAMICHE's creative director. He held the position for more than 50 years and would design over 1,000 objects for the company. Himself a Montelupo native, Londi brought to BITOSSI a deep expertise in the traditional production of ceramics. Nevertheless he keenly appreciated the streamlined forms of the mid-century moment. He is best known for his 'Rimini Blu' collection (1955-1965), an iconic series comprised of over 150 designs—bowls, vases, jugs, and animal figurines—all glazed in a vibrant azure hue and embossed with abstract motifs and shapes. It helped to bring expressive, hand-crafted work into the modernist design conversation in Italy. Londi’s last solo collection, 'ARKitectura,' stands somewhat apart from his earlier work and features elegantly minimalistic animal figures glazed in monochromatic black, white, or platinum. Both collections are still in production today and widely collected by enthusiasts.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0in 0in 12.0pt 0in;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #212b36;\"\u003eDuring Londi's tenure, BITOSSI collaborated successfully with a host of famous designers, including the legendary architect-designer Ettore Sottsass. An avatar of 1960s counter-culture, Sottsass thought design should be provocative and sensual, and his avant-garde style blended well with BITOSSI’s mid-century aesthetic. Besides Sottsass, BITOSSI partnered with designers Piero Fornasetti, Karim Rashid, Arik Levy, Fabio Novembre, Benjamin Hubert, Matteo Thun, Monica Förster, and Cédric Ragot.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0in 0in 12.0pt 0in;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #212b36;\"\u003eToday BITOSSI CERAMICHE is justly considered an institution. The Bitossi family and its foundation have amassed an archive of over 7,000 historical documents and materials in relation to the production of ceramics. The assemblage is housed in the Bitossi Artistic Industrial Museum in Montelupo. In 2014, BITOSSI became an official member of the Registry of Italian Historical Companies, appointed by the Italian National Union of Chambers of Commerce.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"properties\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eDesigner\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pamono.com\/designers\/aldo-londi\"\u003eAldo Londi\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eManufacturer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pamono.com\/makers\/bitossi\"\u003eBitossi\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eDesign Period\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1960 to 1969\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eProduction Period\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1960 to 1969\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eCountry of Manufacture\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eItaly\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eIdentifying Marks\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThis piece has been attributed based on archival documentation, such as vintage catalogs, designer records, or other literature sources\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eStyle\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd itemprop=\"style\"\u003eVintage, Mid-Century, Italian Modern, Hand-Crafted, Modernist\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eDetailed Condition\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cmeta itemprop=\"itemCondition\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/OfferItemCondition\" content=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/UsedCondition\"\u003e Excellent — This vintage piece is in near original condition. It may show minimal traces of use and\/or have slight restorations.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eProduct Code\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eRestoration and Damage Details\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMay show slight traces of previous use\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMaterials\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCeramic\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eColor\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd itemprop=\"color\"\u003eBlack, white\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"width\"\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eWidth\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e7.5 inch\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"depth\"\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eDepth\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e4.0 inch\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eHeight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e8.5 inch\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"MODERN REDUX","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":37661278142651,"sku":"RARE ALDO LONDI HERMAPHRODITE CENTAUR","price":361.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2159\/9561\/products\/IMG_20201125_180809-01.jpg?v=1606350730","url":"https:\/\/modernredux.myshopify.com\/products\/rare-aldo-londi-hermaphrodite-centaur-figurine-for-bitossi-italy","provider":"MODERN REDUX","version":"1.0","type":"link"}