Mid-Century Modern Rimini Blue Ceramic Ashtray by Aldo Londi for Bittosi

A low vessel with an asymmetrical, shallow form, featuring opposing sections of the rim that are characteristically turned upward. The design is based on a compact, almost architectural form with clearly defined planes, whose austerity is offset by the expressive glaze surface. The piece belongs to the iconic Rimini Blu series, designed by Aldo Londi for the Bitossi manufactory. The collection was introduced in 1959 and stands as one of the most recognizable examples of postwar Italian artistic ceramics. A characteristic feature of the series is the intense, crystalline blue glaze, beneath which the texture of the decorated surface remains visible. The piece shown here is dominated by deep shades of cobalt, turquoise, and blue, with the darker base showing through in places. The surface is enriched by an irregular, relief-like texture featuring fine dots and traces of decorative treatment. The technique used in the Rimini Blu series combined working with light-colored refractory clay with hand-made, stamped, or incised ornamentation, which was then covered with the characteristic blue crystalline glaze. The vessel’s form and the treatment of its surface clearly illustrate Londi’s creative language, in which traditional ceramic craftsmanship was combined with a modern, abstract approach to ornamentation and color. The Rimini Blu series was produced beginning in 1959 and included a wide range of functional and decorative forms.