Giovanni DeSimone Furniture
Giovanni DeSimone was a mid-century ceramicist whose lively designs seem primed to elicit smiles. He created colorful vessels, platters and wall art, decorated with festive figures, flowers and fauna in a style that reveals an appreciation for Cubism and folk art.
DeSimone was born in Palermo, Sicily, in 1930. His parents were aristocrats, and as a young child, he traveled to Somalia. It was here that he grew fond of African artistic traditions. After World War II, DeSimone moved to the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy. He attended the Istituto d’Arte per la Ceramica and discovered a passion for pottery. Upon graduation, DeSimone moved back to Palermo and fell in love with Eliana, who became his wife. The couple had three daughters together.
DeSimone opened his famous ceramics studio in the 1960s, producing dinnerware, serveware and decorative tiles. As the studio grew in success and popularity, DeSimone hired more artists to help with the work. In its heyday, the studio had as many as six ceramicists producing work. While each creator had a unique style, DeSimone set a standard for the colors and themes to be used.
DeSimone died in 1991, passing his workshop down to his daughters Margherita and Susanna. Today, the company still operates in Palermo under the name La Fabbrica della Ceramica, producing ceramic pieces inspired by DeSimone's original designs.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Giovanni DeSimone decorative objects, serveware and wall decorations.
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni DeSimone Furniture
Pottery, Paint
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni DeSimone Furniture
Pottery, Paint
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni DeSimone Furniture
Pottery, Paint
1990s Italian Modern Giovanni DeSimone Furniture
Pottery, Paint
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni DeSimone Furniture
Pottery, Paint
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni DeSimone Furniture
Pottery, Paint
1920s American Vintage Giovanni DeSimone Furniture
Pottery
1860s German Antique Giovanni DeSimone Furniture
Pottery
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Giovanni DeSimone Furniture
Pottery
19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Antique Giovanni DeSimone Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Giovanni DeSimone Furniture
Earthenware, Paint
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni DeSimone Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Hungarian Rustic Giovanni DeSimone Furniture
Earthenware, Paint
1970s American Modern Vintage Giovanni DeSimone Furniture
Aluminum
Early 20th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Giovanni DeSimone Furniture
Earthenware
20th Century Mexican Folk Art Giovanni DeSimone Furniture
Clay
Late 19th Century French French Provincial Antique Giovanni DeSimone Furniture
Pottery
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni DeSimone Furniture
Ceramic