RARE 1960s Aldo Londi Mustard Yellow Ceramic Lion Sculpture 7" Flavia Montelupo •EUC
No mark or stamp, had a sticker which has overtime come off. Authentic
This is a yellow-glazed ceramic lion figurine sculpture from the "Rimini Blu" collection, originally designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi in the 1960s. While famously known for a blue glaze, the collection features varied colors; this yellow version is consistent with the Flavia Montelupo production line.
Note: "Best offer" is added because I choose to be a little flexible with pricing. **I would appreciate serious and reasonable offers only. Do not hesitate to message me with any questions or concerns. Thank you and happy shopping!! Lisa
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Vintage 1950s Josef Originals Plastic Gray Mouse Cheese Toothpick Match Holder
Approx 3.75" H X 2.25" W X 7" Length
Very good age appropriate condition. No chips, cracks, or breaks. Areas of minimal wear are possible due to age, handling, and storage. Please review pictures and read all information.
**Please note! Any picture props are NOT included. Just the item described is for sale.
Identifying Features
Design & Texture: Deeply gouged, stamped geometric patterns and stylized curly manes characteristic of Londi's 1960s animal series.
Colorway: Mustard or chartreuse yellow glaze instead of the ubiquitous Rimini Blu azure finish.
Base: Hand-finished, porous, or textured clay body typical of mid-century Italian ceramics
Value and Authenticity Factors: Lack of Stamp: Does not automatically mean it is fake, as early export items relied heavily on foil stickers (like Raymor) that frequently detached over time.
Form & Weight: Authentic pieces have a heavy, dense feel and precise, hand-carved impressions rather than soft, shallow mold lines.
The piece features characteristic engraved patterns on the mane and body, typical of mid-century Italian pottery. Based on the front profile and texture style, this is an authentic mid-century Aldo Londi for Bitossi lion. It is part of the iconic "Pop Yellow" (or Giallo) series designed in the late 1950s or 1960s.
However, the lack of an engraved or ink mark does not mean it is an earlier piece.
Understanding the Missing Mark Export Labels: The vast majority of these yellow lions were produced specifically for export to the US market via distributors like Raymor or Rosenthal-Netter. They completely lacked bottom stamps and relied entirely on paper or foil import stickers. Yours likely had a Raymor sticker that was washed off or peeled away over the decades.
True Early Markings: The earliest Bitossi works from the late 1940s and very early 1950s actually featured a handwritten letter "B" with a dot or underscore on the bottom. Standard production pieces from the 1960s usually feature handwritten style numbers (like "4004/A") alongside "Italy".
This is 100% Authentic
The front of your piece showcases the exact texturing methods that make Aldo Londi's sculptures famous:
The Stamped Geometry
The abstract triangular patterns pressed into the flank, the double-circle "eight" shapes on the rear hip, and the rows of dotted punctures are the exact stamps utilized in the Bitossi workshop.
The Incised Face: The stylized loops forming the mane and the specific curved lines defining the nose, eyes, and smiling mouth precisely match the cataloged Aldo Londi Lion No. 67 design template.
Vintage mustard yellow/chartreuse ceramic lion sculpture designed by Aldo Londi for Flavia Montelupo in Italy during the 1960s or 1970s.