An Italian mid-century ceramic figural dish designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. For Sale

Bitossi was a historic pottery company located in Montelupo Fiorentino, Italy, where master ceramists produced avant-garde decorative wares for international markets. These pieces were created during the mid-twentieth century as part of a booming export trade in Italian home accessories and art pottery. The distinctive texture and rustic appearance were achieved by carving designs directly into the damp clay before firing and applying rich, variegated glazes.Families used these catchall dishes in living rooms and hallways to hold small pocket items like keys and coins. They sat on wooden side tables and entry consoles as colorful accents of modern design during the height of the postwar interior decoration boom. Their everyday domestic use eventually gave way to preservation by collectors as mid-century modern design became appreciated for its artistic merit.