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 |
| $333 |
| Styles |
| Materials |
| Related Creators |
$1,602
H 7.5 in Dm 3.5 in
Original Signed Giovanni DeSimone Hand Painted 'Balloons' Italian Ceramic Vase
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Original and signed by Giovanni DeSimone, this hand-painted vase is full of colour and fun Hand painted scene of Italian children playing with balloons A terrific piece of Giovanni a...
Ceramic
$135Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.98 in Dm 2.92 in
Ceramic Hand-Painted Candlestick Candle Holder by DeSimone, Italy
By Giovanni DeSimone, DeSimone
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This vintage figural candlestick by Giovanni Desimone Italy is a unique and eye-catching piece of decorative art. DeSimone was a renowned Italian ceramicist and designer who worked in the mid-20th century, known for his whimsical and colorful ceramic sculptures...
Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery
Italian 1960's Giovanni DeSimone Decorative Pottery Dish
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in New York, NY
Italian 1960's hand painted colorful ceramic dish by Giovanni DeSimone, hand crafted in Italy. Signed on underside, DeSimone, Italy 60.
Pottery
DeSimone of Italy, Hand Painted Colorful Ceramic Plate, 1960s
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Colorful hand painted, large ceramic plate by DeSimone, Italy Signed DeSimone, Italy to reverse, circa 1960s Measures: Height 1 inch, diameter 10 inch In very good condition.
Ceramic
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 ...
Ceramic
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...
Ceramic
$850Sale Price|30% Off
H 8.67 in W 7.88 in D 0.99 in
Ceramic Plate De Simone Colored 1960s Sailing Ship with Warriors
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Ceramic Plate De Simone colored 1960s sailing ship with warriors, Fenini, Arabs, Normans towards the island of Sicily to consuist it.
Ceramic
$250
H 0.88 in Dm 8.75 in
Italian Desimone Hand Painted Pottery Round Decor Plate Fisherman Store Cast Net
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Miami, FL
Original Italian Giovanni Desimone hand painted art pottery, round decor plate depicts a scene of a fisherman folding his fish casting nets on a sunny day ...
Pottery, Paint
| Sold Date | Sold Price | Category | Material | Creation Year | |||||||||||
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| $333 |
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months |
| $295-$380 |
| Sold price range of items in the past 12 months |