Giovanni DeSimone

Italian, 1930-1991

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.

Average Sold Price

$99

Styles

Materials

Related Creators

Lavorazione Arte Murano

MB Italy

Oggetti

Large Figurative Glazed Ceramic Vase by Giovanni DeSimone, Italy c. Mid-20th C

$1,480

H 13 in W 10 in D 10 in

Large Figurative Glazed Ceramic Vase by Giovanni DeSimone, Italy c. Mid-20th C

By Giovanni DeSimone

Located in Wiscasset, ME

A glazed and colorful Giovanni Desimone hand painted pottery vase or vessel, probably dating from the 1960s from Italy. A good sized piece with a great presence measuring 13" tall ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Giovanni DeSimone

Materials

Ceramic

Hand-Painted Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Vase by Giovanni DeSimone

$695

H 8.75 in Dm 5 in

Hand-Painted Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Vase by Giovanni DeSimone

By Giovanni DeSimone

Located in Miami, FL

One-of-kind handled vase, hand-crafted and hand-painted by Giovanni Desimone. Great design with a whimsical figurative image on the front and other accentuating decor on the sides. ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Giovanni DeSimone

Materials

Ceramic

Original Signed, Giovanni DeSimone 'Fisherman With Spear' Ceramic Plate c1960's

$1,172

H 1 in Dm 5 in

Original Signed, Giovanni DeSimone 'Fisherman With Spear' Ceramic Plate c1960's

By Giovanni DeSimone

Located in Rothley, Leicestershire

Original and signed by Giovanni DeSimone, this hand-painted little plate is full of colour and life depicting a busy Sicilian fisherman Small in size, huge on personality - Giovanni ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Giovanni DeSimone

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Italian Hand Painted Ceramic Figural Pitcher Vase by Giovanni de Simone

$950

H 8 in W 7.25 in D 6.75 in

Vintage Italian Hand Painted Ceramic Figural Pitcher Vase by Giovanni de Simone

By Giovanni DeSimone

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Hand-painted ceramic sculptural pitcher/vase by Sicilian aristocrat turned artist, Giovanni De Simone (1964, Italy). Unique, figural form with hand-painted details in De Simone's sig...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni DeSimone

Materials

Ceramic

Diminutive Italian Modern Ceramic "King" Candle Holder by Giovannni De Simone

$300

H 3.25 in Dm 2.38 in

Diminutive Italian Modern Ceramic "King" Candle Holder by Giovannni De Simone

By Giovanni DeSimone

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Small hand-painted ceramic candle holder by Sicilian aristocrat turned artist, Giovanni De Simone. Unique, king figural form in De Simone's signature vibrant colors of yellow, red, o...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni DeSimone

Materials

Ceramic

Glorious, Original Signed Giovanni DeSimone Madonna And Child Ceramic Plaque

$3,311

H 12 in W 10 in D 0.5 in

Glorious, Original Signed Giovanni DeSimone Madonna And Child Ceramic Plaque

By Giovanni DeSimone

Located in Rothley, Leicestershire

Madonna and Child ceramic plaque - a glorious creation by Giovanni DeSimone, Italy A limited edition piece, this is number 25 of 30 Signed to front by G...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Giovanni DeSimone

Materials

Ceramic

Original Signed, Giovanni DeSimone 'Fisherman With Catch' Ceramic Plate c1960's

$1,172

H 1 in Dm 5 in

Original Signed, Giovanni DeSimone 'Fisherman With Catch' Ceramic Plate c1960's

By Giovanni DeSimone

Located in Rothley, Leicestershire

Original and signed by Giovanni DeSimone, this hand-painted little plate is full of colour and life depicting a busy fisherman Small in size, huge on personality - Giovanni at his be...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Giovanni DeSimone

Materials

Ceramic

Large Sculpture DeSimone 1960 Very Special and Rare, Fisherman

$3,313Sale Price|20% Off

H 22.05 in W 15.75 in D 11.82 in

Large Sculpture DeSimone 1960 Very Special and Rare, Fisherman

By Giovanni DeSimone

Located in Palermo, Sicily

Large sculpture Desimone 1960 very special and rare, fisherman. Made in clay ground, paperwork pieces and decorated with cold colors, very particular and rare in its kind.

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni DeSimone

Materials

Clay, Parchment Paper

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Giovanni DeSimone Sale Prices

Sold Date

Sold Price

Category

Material

Creation Year

2026

$99

Ceramics, Candlesticks

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

1960s

$99

Average sold price of items in the past 12 months

$99-$99

Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

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Giovanni Desimone furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Giovanni DeSimone furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of ceramic and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Giovanni DeSimone furniture, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Giovanni DeSimone were created in the mid-century modern style in italy during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Ambrogio Pozzi, Vincenzo Nason & Cie, and Fratelli Fanciullacci. Prices for Giovanni DeSimone furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $154 and can go as high as $3,881, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $505.

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