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.
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
$750Sale Price|57% Off
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.
Ceramic
Giovanni de Simone Hand-Painted Jug Vase
By Giovanni de Simone
Located in Skokie, IL
Giovanni de Simone Hand-Painted Jug Vase This three-sided handled jug vase by famed Italian artist Giovanni de Simone (1930-1991) is an original gem. The...
Ceramic
Richard Ginori Giovanni Gariboldi Vase Ceramic 1950 Italy
By Giovanni Gariboldi
Located in Milano, IT
Richard Ginori Giovanni Gariboldi vase ceramic 1950 Italy.
Ceramic
1970s Italian Pottery Vases
Located in New York, NY
1970s mid-century modern Italian pottery decorative vases, in vintage original condition with minor wear and patina due to age and use.
Pottery
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. ...
Ceramic
Richard Ginori Giovanni Gariboldi Vase Ceramic, 1950, Italy
By Richard Ginori
Located in Milano, IT
Richard Ginori Giovanni Gariboldi vase ceramic, 1950, Italy.
Ceramic
Vintage Italian Hand Painted Floral Ceramic Vase
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Vintage Italian Hand-Painted Floral Ceramic Vase with vibrant floral motifs and timeless craftsmanship, ideal for decor or collectible display. ...
Ceramic
$536
H 11.82 in W 9.06 in D 3.55 in
1970s Modernist Amber and Brown Ceramic Italian Vase by Giovanni Bertoncello
By Bertoncello
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This 1970s modernist Italian ceramic vase has been manufactured by Giovanni Bertoncello, a renowned ceramicist known for his sculptural and futuristic designs. The vase has an organi...
Ceramic
$1,305
H 14.75 in Dm 6.5 in
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...
Pottery, Paint
Italian Vase in Murano Glass Multi-Color Picasso Style Cenedese 1970s
By Cenedese
Located in Villaverla, IT
Amazing Italian Venetian Vase in Murano glass transparent with multi-color refinished, with a Picasso face style represented on the vase in a unique and elegant style. Attributed to ...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Italian Hand Painted Ceramic Bottle Pitcher Vase, 1960s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Italian ceramic pitcher bottle vase with organic floral landscape decorations. Hand-painted yellow, orange, green, blue and brown coloured motifs under clear glaze. Handle on the top...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Giovanni De Simone teapot
By Giovanni de Simone
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is an excellent example of Giovanni De Simone's work! It's hand painted and crafted by the artist himself. This piece is titled "Midnight Sunlight". It has a small chip on the ...
Pottery, Paint
Bruno Gambone Ceramic Vase or Bottle, Italy, 1970s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Bruno Gambone light black glazed ceramic bottle or vase with a flattened circular body and elongated tapering neck, Italy 1970s. The body is incise...
Ceramic
Sold
H 8.67 in Dm 3.15 in
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 ...
Ceramic
Sold
H 8.67 in Dm 3.15 in
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 fruit...
Ceramic