RARE ALDO LONDI HERMAPHRODITE CENTAUR FIGURINE FOR BITOSSI (ITALY)

Aldo Londi really out-did himself with this one!  Produced by Bitossi at some point in the 1960s, this figure appears to be half human and half beast, while the human half appears to have both masculine and feminine characteristics.  There are breasts on both sides of the figure, but there is also what looks like a 'manly' protuberance at the front.  After all that, what else could be more appropriate to top it all off with than a hat!? of the very few of these that we have seen, the rimini decor has always been used, with the exception of this one.  It has been hand painted with a black and white surface decoration and no rimini impressions.  the body is hollow and has been marked on the inside with the form number 4228 and the letter 'B', which likely designates the decor used.  We think it's safe to say that you're highly unlikely to find another quite like it. ALDO LONDI (1911-2003) was one of Italy's most noted master ceramicists who spent most of his long and successful career cr