Alvino Bagni SEA GARDENS Lamp unwired, Large 42cm in excellent condition.

A wonderful example of the then radical 1960s Sea Garden glaze with its unusual mix of turquoise, blue, green, yellow, brown, and black. 

Alvino Bagni was born in Lastra a Signa, Italy, in 1919, and from a young age he began to take an interest in ceramics, which was an important industry at the time in the area around Florence. After the Second World War, Bagni opened his own workshop with several family members including his wife Gina, who accompanied him throughout his career.  In the 1950s and '60s Bagni established collaborations with Bitossi Ceramiche in nearby Montelupo Fiorentino and a number of important names in American design and business, including Raymor (N.Y.) and Rosenthal, for whom he created extremely modern items for that time.

In 1970 the company moved to a larger, more modern factory, where Alvino surrounded himself with highly-skilled collaborators and artists, such as E. Borgini, M. Mannori, R. Buti, M. Santonocito, and many others. By 1980 the factory had as many as 100 employees, and was renowned for its high-quality artistic production, elegant objects and its use of new and experimental techniques. His factory closed in 1990 but he started a new venture Nuove Forme, until he retired eight years later. Alvino died in 2009 at the age of 90. His career was a fascinating journey filled with modesty, technical skill, passion and creativity.