Aldo Londi Appraisal

Bitossi Pottery Lidded Jar in Yellow and Brown Etched Ceramic

This is a vintage lidded ceramic jar produced by Bitossi Ceramiche in Italy, likely dating from the 1960s or 1970s. The piece features a cylindrical body with a slightly flared rim and a matching flush-seated lid topped with a disc-shaped finial. The exterior is decorated with a characteristic Mid-Century Modern Italian brutalist aesthetic, utilizing a combination of earth tones. It features a broad yellow glazed band around the midsection with embossed repeating leaf or shield-like scrollwork patterns. Surrounding this are bands of dark chocolate brown with a heavily pitted, lava-like texture. The interior and rim appear finished in a smooth dark glaze. Based on the provided context and visual evidence, the condition includes three significant chips: one on the edge of the circular finial, one on the upper lip of the jar rim, and another smaller chip on the very edge of the lid. These chips reveal the reddish-tan clay body underneath. Despite these issues, the piece retains its structural integrity and vibrant glazing, which is indicative of the high-quality craftsmanship of the Bitossi factory under the direction of Aldo Londi. The heavy etching and textured volcanic glaze are hallmarks of this specific era of Italian art pottery.