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Giovanni DeSimone Bowls and Baskets

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
Decorative Hand Painted Italian Ceramic Plate and Bowl by DeSimone
Decorative Hand Painted Italian Ceramic Plate and Bowl by DeSimone

Decorative Hand Painted Italian Ceramic Plate and Bowl by DeSimone

By Giovanni DeSimone

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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 ...

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20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Giovanni DeSimone Bowls and Baskets

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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...

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1960s Italian Vintage Giovanni DeSimone Bowls and Baskets

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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...

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1960s Italian Vintage Giovanni DeSimone Bowls and Baskets

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Giovanni Desimone Signed Hand Painted Italian Midcentury Ceramic Pottery Bowl
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A whimsical work by master Italian potter Giovanni Desimone. Giovanni Desimone was born in 1930 in Palermo, Italy. The Desimone ceramics studio be...

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Beautiful design on these ceramic plate, highly collectible plate by DeSimone, circa 1960s, made in Italy, great condition no chips or cracks very light wear. Signed and numbered.

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20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Giovanni DeSimone Bowls and Baskets

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Original Signed Giovanni DeSimone, Hand Painted Two Fishermen Italian Dish 1960s
Original Signed Giovanni DeSimone, Hand Painted Two Fishermen Italian Dish 1960s

Original Signed Giovanni DeSimone, Hand Painted Two Fishermen Italian Dish 1960s

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Original and signed by Giovanni DeSimone, this hand painted ceramic dish of 'Two Fishermen' is full of color and vibrancy - typical of Giovanni's work, 'Two Fishermen' is a fun piece...

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Mid-20th Century Italian Giovanni DeSimone Bowls and Baskets

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Giovanni Desimone bowls and baskets for sale on 1stDibs.

Giovanni DeSimone bowls and baskets 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 bowls and baskets, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original bowls and baskets 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 bowls and baskets by Toni Zuccheri, Sergio Asti, and Fausto Melotti. Prices for Giovanni DeSimone bowls and baskets can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $195 and can go as high as $968, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $195.