SKU: 94741128731

‘SCAVO’ DÉCOR OWL BY ALDO LONDI FOR BITOSSI CERAMICHE

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Description

‘SCAVO’ DÉCOR OWL BY ALDO LONDI FOR BITOSSI CERAMICHEA squat, terracotta owl figurine produced in the 1960s by Aldo Londi for BITOSSI CERAMICHE and finished in the Scavo (excavation) dcor. Londi designed the glaze to mimic the patina found on ancient pottery unearthed during archeological digs. Like most items Bitossi created, this handsome owl was available in a variety of dcors, each with its distinct character. As is true of all things made by hand, no two were exactly the same. BITOSSI CERAMICHE was

A squat, terracotta owl figurine produced in the 1960s by Aldo Londi for BITOSSI CERAMICHE and finished in the Scavo (excavation) décor. Londi designed the glaze to mimic the patina found on ancient pottery unearthed during archeological digs. Like most items Bitossi created, this handsome owl was available in a variety of décors, each with its distinct character. As is true of all things made by hand, no two were exactly the same.


BITOSSI CERAMICHE was established in 1921 as Manifattura Ceramica Cav. Guido Bitossi & Figli by Guido Bitossi in Montelupo Fiorentino—a medieval hilltop Tuscan town with an ancient tradition of ceramic production, located a few kilometers outside Florence. The Bitossi family, documented in the area as early as 1536, had for centuries worked there as sculptors, as painters, but especially as potters. In the 20th century, under Guido’s leadership, they would introduce an extraordinary stylistic and formal renewal of their craft.

In the late 1940s, the master ceramist Aldo Londi (1911-2003) was named creative director at BITOSSI CERAMICHE. He would hold 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. At the same time, he keenly appreciated the streamlined forms of the mid-century moment. He is perhaps best known for his Rimini Blu collection, an iconic series comprised of over 150 designs; it is still in production today and widely collected by enthusiasts.

During Londi’s tenure, BITOSSI collaborated successfully with a host of famous designers, including the legendary architect-designer Ettore Sottsass (1917-2007). 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.

Today 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 related 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.


ALDO LONDI (1911-2003) was one of Italy’s most celebrated master ceramists. He spent most of his long and successful career creating exceptional works of great art and craft for the Italian ceramics firm Bitossi Ceramiche.

Just outside of Florence, Londi’s hometown of Montelupo Fiorentino had been an important center of pottery production in Tuscany since the Renaissance. At the age of eleven, in 1922, Londi went to work for the region’s then-premier ceramics workshop, Fratelli Fanciullacci (Fanciullacci Bros.). There he would master the time-honored methods of the local industry. Following WW II—upon his return to Italy from South Africa, where he was held captive as a prisoner of war—Londi became creative director at a second Montelupo manufactory, Bitossi Ceramiche. He would retain the position for more than 50 years.

Londi’s high-level technical expertise and vast experience in traditional artisanal methods allowed him to create distinctively expressive and whimsical forms and finishes for Bitossi. His best-known collection is perhaps the 1950s-era Rimini Blu, a now-iconic midcentury series that encompasses over 150 designs. The décor is a vibrant blue, densely embossed with abstract shapes and motifs that often create a frieze—fantastic loops of geometric elements endlessly chasing each other, enhanced by touches of green and cobalt. This proprietary decoration holds historical importance as it helped to bring handcrafted works into the modernist design conversation in Italy. Although not the only color Londi utilized, blue has become closely associated with his work. Londi’s last solo collection, ARKitectura, is a striking exception—it features elegantly minimalistic animal figures—fish, cats, shorebirds—glazed in monochromatic black, white, or platinum.

Starting in 1958, Londi began a fruitful collaboration with the legendary architect-designer Ettore Sottsass (1917-2007), who considered Londi an important mentor. During his tenure with Bitossi, Londi would also work with Piero Fornasetti (1913-1988), Matteo Thun (b. 1952), and Karim Rashid (b. 1960).

Most of Londi’s collections, 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.


DETAILS

Maker – BITOSSI CERAMICHE

Production Period/Year – 1960s

Designer – ALDO LONDI

Design Period/Year – 1960s

Origin – ITALY

Styles/Movements – FIGURATIVE; ITALIAN; MID-CENTURY MODERN

Materials – CERAMIC

Colors – TERRACOTTA, BLACK, WHITE

Condition – Excellent vintage condition. May show minor signs of previous ownership and use. (Due to the rustic nature of the décor, the patina only improves with age.)

Dimensions – 6" W × 6" D × 5 ¾" H

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SKU: 94741128731

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Christy D.
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 5
Aggressive chewer who loves fetch approved!!
Size: Medium, Size: Medium
I highly recommend the Chuck-It brand in general, especially for dogs with an aggressive bite. These balls are awesome and are the most durable balls I’ve bought for my 50 lbs lab mix. He has not been able to break one of them yet and we’ve had a few of the squeaky balls for months. They are a bit pricey but worth it. The one in the pic has been used for months, lives outside and you can see it’s still in great shape.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2025
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Tasha U
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 5
Good quality dog ball for playing fetch
Size: Medium
My dog and family love these chuck it balls to play fetch with our dog. They are durable and fun. They squeak which is added fun for any dog! Regular tennis balls my dog chews apart and they get pretty gross after playing and being left outside. These can be easily washed off and cleaned. These balls last! Would recommend to anyone with a dog and would purchase again.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2025
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ryan johnson
Massapequa, US
★★★★★ 5
Tough and sturdy
Size: Medium
Have lasted my dog for years now and she is a tough chewer. Worth the money
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Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2025
M
Verified Purchase
Mitch
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 5
Our German Sheppard loves these
Size: Medium
These cost a bit more than tennis balls, but they are so much nicer and longer lasting. For starters, they stay cleaner than tennis balls because they’re smooth rubber. Dirt won’t build up on them and if anything does stick, like grass or soil, it falls off once the dog slobber dries. They’re also thick, so they don’t fall apart or blow out like a normal tennis ball does in our dog’s jaws after 30 seconds. Our GS chomps on these like crazy and the only damage they’ve suffered is a crack that developed from the edge of the hole, but the crack is growing very slowly and none of these balls have totally failed yet. The balls do whistle when thrown ant high speed and that may help a dog track and locate it, but I’m not sure. Our neighbors hear the whistling too so it’s far from silent. Lastly the orange ball is easy to locate out in our yard, but the dark blue practically disappears.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2025
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Casey B
Massapequa, US
★★★★★ 5
Great for smaller dogs
Size: Small
These two balls are perfect for the smaller mouthed dog that loves to play fetch. These balls are not only super durable (lots of teeth biting), but float in the baby pool we use for our miniature dachshunds. The value here is much better than you’d find anywhere else. The noise, if bitten hard enough, was “low” at best. Easy to spot/find if overthrown. Will definitely buy again once these are in bad repair; so far, so good-love these for my fur babies!
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Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2024

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