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Giovanni DeSimone Furniture

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.

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Creator: Giovanni DeSimone
Hand-Painted Ceramic Water RareJug by Giovanni Desimone With Sangria Recipe
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in San Diego, CA
One-of-kind pitcher hand-painted by Giovanni Desimone, great design signed, Made in Italy a rare piece nice large size.
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Desimone Ceramic Pitcher Vase
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 Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Ceramic Hand-Painted Candlestick Candle Holder by DeSimone, Italy
By DeSimone, Giovanni 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...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni DeSimone Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

Italian Giovanni Desimone Hand Painted Pottery Fish Platter Serving Plate
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Miami, FL
Original Italian Giovanni Desimone hand painted pottery, fish platter, serving plate. The plate is glazed and very colorful. Marked and numbered on underside, 'DeSimone, Italy 21'.
Category

1990s Italian Modern Giovanni DeSimone Furniture

Materials

Pottery, Paint

Desimone Italian Paint Decorated Ceramic Bowl With Fish
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Signed Desimone on the base and the side. An amusing folk style decorated large center bowl with colored fish and fishermen on blue ground. Mottled gray glazed inside. Retailed by Gu...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Giovanni DeSimone Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

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.
Category

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

Materials

Pottery

Desimone Hand Painted Art Pottery Vase, Vessel with Handles Circus Horses Italy
By DeSimone, Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Miami, FL
A glazed and colorful Giovanni Desimone hand painted pottery vase or vessel, circa 1969 from Italy. The painting depicts two men on horses riding in a circus arena and people applaud...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni DeSimone Furniture

Materials

Pottery, Paint

Desimone Hand Painted Ceramic Vase
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Miami, FL
One-of-kind vase, hand-crafted and hand-painted by Giovanni Desimone. Great design with whimsical images on both sides. Signed and numbered, this rare piece is colorful as the us...
Category

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

Materials

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 ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Giovanni DeSimone Furniture

Materials

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Giovanni DeSimone Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

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 Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Giovanni DeSimone Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Desimone Hand Painted Ceramic Pitcher, Italian Pottery circa 1960 Era Aldo Londi
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Desimone, hand painted ceramic pitcher, Italian Pottery, circa 1960 - Era Aldo Londi Very nice pitcher representing a laughting man with ...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni DeSimone Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Square Bottle Vase Giovanni De Simone 1970s Italian Pottery Picasso Style
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Square bottle vase Giovanni De Simone 1970s Italian Pottery Picasso style.
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni DeSimone Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

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 ...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni DeSimone Furniture

Materials

Pottery, Paint

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.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Giovanni DeSimone Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Decorative Hand Painted Italian Ceramic Plate and Bowl by DeSimone
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in San Diego, CA
Decorative hand painted ceramic plate and matching bowl by DeSimone of Italy, circa 1964. The set is in very good vintage condition with no chips or ...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Giovanni DeSimone Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Italian Giovanni Desimone Hand Painted Big Art Pottery Flower Vase Vessel Italy
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Miami, FL
Original Italian Giovanni Desimone hand painted tall art pottery flower vase, vessel. The glazed vase painting depicts two fishermen in action catchin...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni DeSimone Furniture

Materials

Pottery, Paint

Desimone Hand Painted Tall Art Pottery Flute Player Flower Vase Vessel Italy
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Miami, FL
Original Italian Giovanni Desimone hand painted tall art pottery flower vase, vessel. The glazed vase painting depicts a man playing the flute. Marked...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni DeSimone Furniture

Materials

Pottery, Paint

Desimone Hand Painted Tall Art Pottery Flower Vase Vessel Olive Picking Italy
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Miami, FL
Original Italian Giovanni Desimone hand painted tall art pottery flower vase, vessel. The glazed vase painting depicts a man and a woman in action pic...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni DeSimone Furniture

Materials

Pottery, Paint

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.
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni DeSimone Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

DeSimone of Italy, Hand Painted Bright Happy, Smiley Ceramic Plate, 1960s
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Happy and smiley hand painted ceramic plate from DeSimone, Italy, circa 1960s A super, fun plate from DeSimone Signed DeSimone to reverse circa 1960s Measures: Height 1 inch, dam...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Giovanni DeSimone Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

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 Furniture

Materials

Clay, Parchment Paper

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Hand Painted Earthenware Pottery with Handle, circa 1900's
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Midcentury Indistinctly Signed Studio Pottery Dish Painted with a Fish
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Previously Available Items
Hand-Painted Ceramic Water RareJug by Giovanni Desimone With Sangria Recipe
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in San Diego, CA
One-of-kind pitcher hand-painted by Giovanni Desimone, great design signed, Made in Italy a rare piece not as colorful as the usual pieces by him, well-made piece. with Sangria Sicil...
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Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Giovanni DeSimone Furniture

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Ceramic

1960s Italian Hand Painted Planter Pot by Giovanni Desimone
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Ferndale, MI
Two brightly colored hand painted fish on this handled planter pot by Giovanni DeSimone. Hand signed. 1960s, Italy. Measures 10.5" with handles, interior width is 8.5".
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Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Giovanni DeSimone Furniture

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DeSimone Hand Painted Ceramic Bottle, Italian Pottery circa 1960 Era Aldo Londi
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Desimone, hand painted ceramic bottle, Italian Pottery, circa 1960 - Aldo Londi Very beautiful bottle representing a woman carrying a basket of fruits or vegetables on the top of ...
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1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni DeSimone Furniture

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Ceramic

1960s DeSimone Pottery Ceramic Hand Painted Art Plate from Italy
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s DeSimone pottery ceramic hand painted Art Plate from Italy Giovanni Desimone Italy Measures: 8.88 diameter x .88 tall Inscription: Desimone ...
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1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni DeSimone Furniture

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Ceramic, Pottery

1960s DeSimone of Italy Colorful Art Plate Hand Painted Ceramic Pottery
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1960s DeSimone of Italy colorful ceramic pottery hand painted art plate Giovanni Desimone Italy 8.75 diameter x .88 tall Inscription: CER DESIMON...
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1960s Desimone Ceramic Pottery Italy Art Plate Yellow Red Green Hand Painted
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Desimone ceramic pottery Italy Art Plate Hand painted in Yellow Red and Green Giovanni Desimone Italy 8.38 diameter x .75 tall Inscription: Desimone Italy 64/15 AC Origin...
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1960s DeSimone Pottery Italy Ceramic Art Plate Hand Painted Turquoise Flower
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Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s DeSimone Pottery of Italy Colorful Ceramic Art Hand Painted Turquoise Flower Plate Giovanni Desimone Italy Colorful Turquoise Flower 8.25 diameter x 1 tall Inscription: DE...
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1960s DeSimone Pottery Italy Colorful Ceramic Art Plate Aqua Flower Bowl
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s DeSimone pottery of Italy colorful ceramic Art hand painted soup bowl plate Giovanni Desimone Italy Measures: 8.5 diameter x 1.63 tall Inscription: DESIMONE Original vint...
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1960s DeSimone Pottery of Italy Vibrant Ceramic Art Plate Hand Painted
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s DeSimone Pottery of Italy Vibrant Ceramic Art Plate Hand Painted Giovanni Desimone Italy 8.63 diameter x 1 tall Inscription on the back: De...
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1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni DeSimone Furniture

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Ceramic, Pottery

1960s DeSimone Pottery of Italy Colorful Ceramic Art Plate Hand Painted Flower
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s, DeSimone pottery of Italy colorful ceramic art hand painted blue flower plate. Giovanni Desimone Italy. Colorful blue flower. Measures: 8.88 diameter x .88 tall. Inscripti...
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1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni DeSimone Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Vintage Hand-Painted Italian Ceramic Decorative Platter by Giovanni DeSimone
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in London, GB
Vintage hand-painted Italian ceramic decorative platter by Giovanni DeSimone (1969). One of two platters on hand in the gallery (one is the face of a woman and the other, a man), this piece exemplifies his use of vivid colour as a pottery trademark. The bright Sicilian sun encouraged such use of colour. Another evident inspiration in the artist's creation was cubism. Cubism created a new dimension to painting which abandoned traditional Renaissance era perspective. Objects and figures were portrayed from various angles. That inspiration is less evident in this piece than in the other. The bright colours and exaggerated features here however, demonstrate optimism and even a sense of humour in the maker. This platter is in fair overall condition with a surface hairline crack visible on the lower right which does not affect the integrity of the piece. An original pottery sticker remains affixed to the underside. Please enjoy the many photos accompanying the listing. Upon request a video will be provided. About the Artist: Giovanni DeSimone (1930-1991) was born in Palermo, Sicily to Italian aristocrats. As a young child he traveled to Somalia, and his experiences there clearly stayed with him and inspired his life’s work, which demonstrated an appreciation for and a belief in the value of what is simple and unsophisticated as well as an appreciation for the cubist movement that was popularised by Picasso, Braque and Gris in the early 20th-Century. DeSimone relocated to Emilia-Romagna following WWII where he enrolled in the famed Istituto d’Arte per la Ceramica in Florence. It was there he found his life’s calling; pottery became his passion. After completing his studies, he and his family returned to Sicily. Nostalgic for his native land now seen through adult eyes, Giovanni finally felt at home. The DeSimone ceramics...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Giovanni DeSimone Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Hand-Painted Italian Ceramic Decorative Platter by Giovanni DeSimone
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in London, GB
Vintage hand-painted Italian ceramic decorative platter by Giovanni DeSimone (1969). One of two platters on hand in the gallery (one is the face of a man and the other, a woman), this piece exemplifies his use of vivid colour as a pottery trademark. The bright Sicilian sun encouraged such use of colour. Another evident inspiration in this creation is cubism. Cubism created a new dimension to painting which abandoned traditional Renaissance era perspective. Objects and figures were portrayed from various angles. In this hand-painted ceramic, the figure is defined in segments like a coloured shard of glass outlined with bold markings. Colourful circles and other geometric shapes also figure in the work. The platter is in good overall condition. It is signed by the maker on the front. An original sticker remains affixed to the underside. Please enjoy the many photos accompanying the listing. Upon request, a video can be provided. About the Artist: Giovanni DeSimone (1930-1991) was born in Palermo, Sicily to Italian aristocrats. As a young child he traveled to Somalia, and his experiences there clearly stayed with him and inspired his life’s work, which demonstrated an appreciation for and a belief in the value of what is simple and unsophisticated as well as an appreciation for the cubist movement that was popularised by Picasso, Braque and Gris in the early 20th-Century. DeSimone relocated to Emilia-Romagna following WWII where he enrolled in the famed Istituto d’Arte per la Ceramica in Florence. It was there he found his life’s calling; pottery became his passion. After completing his studies, he and his family returned to Sicily. Nostalgic for his native land now seen through adult eyes, Giovanni finally felt at home. The DeSimone ceramics...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Giovanni DeSimone Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

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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