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 '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
DeSimone Hand Painted Ceramic Water Jug
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Fulton, CA
Hand painted ceramic pitcher by Giovanni DeSimone. Italy, circa. 1970's. Signed on base. 6.75 inches high. 6.5 inches wide. 4 inches deep.
Ceramic
Desimone Hand Painted Ceramic Tray Plaque Italy
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Miami, FL
A very large oval platter or plaque by Giovanni Desimone.
Ceramic
$250
H 1.5 in W 18.5 in D 14.5 in
Majolica Hand Painted Ceramic Turkey Motif Thanksgiving Serving Tray or Platter
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A large oval Thanksgiving turkey serving platter. Created from ceramic, this large majolica platter will be a fabulous way to add a festive touch ...
Ceramic, Paint
$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
$235
H 7.38 in W 7 in D 3 in
1930s Lapis Blue Art Deco Ceramic Refrigerator Water Jug & Matching Stopper
Located in Red Lion, PA
1930s Lapis Blue Art Deco Ceramic Refrigerator Water Jug with Matching Stopper A stunning example of 1930s Art Deco design, this lapis blue glazed ceramic water jug is both a functi...
Ceramic, Cork
$3,006Sale Price|20% Off
H 20.87 in W 28.75 in D 1.38 in
Large Ceramic Wall Panel Giovanni De Simone 1960 Sicilian Art Picasso
By Giovanni de Simone
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Large ceramic wall panel Giovanni De Simone 1960 Sicilian Art Picasso Horse Rider. In his hometown he founded his own workshop "Maioliche d'Arte De Simo...
Ceramic
Radicchio Hand-Painted Ceramic Serving Tray, Made in Italy
By Bertrando Di Renzo
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Bring the beauty of the garden to your home with our hand-painted radicchio-style plate in a pink hue. Perfect for tableware, this serving tray/platter adds a touch of natural elegan...
Ceramic
Saint Jacques Hand-Painted Ceramic Tray Made in Italy
By Bertrando Di Renzo
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Enhance your summer entertaining with the elegant Ceramic Saint Jacques Platter. Expertly handcrafted and beautifully hand-painted in Italy, this platter feature distinctive scalloped-edge detailing inspired by the iconic Saint Jacques seashell. The charming design and artisanal craftsmanship make them a perfect choice for stylish outdoor dining or festive indoor gatherings. Ideal for serving fresh seafood, appetizers, or delightful desserts, these plates add a touch of Mediterranean flair and sophistication to your table...
Ceramic
$1,291
H 11.82 in W 11.82 in D 1.19 in
Giovanni de Simone Colored Ceramic Fish Squared Tile Plate, Italy 1960s
By Pablo Picasso, Giovanni de Simone
Located in Rome, IT
Beautiful squared wall mounted tile plate in colored ceramic representing three fishes by the Italian artisti Giovanni De Simone. Giovanni De Simone was a great Sicilian artist...
Ceramic, Terracotta, Pottery
$446
H 1.58 in W 12.21 in D 12.21 in
Vintage White Ceramic Plate with Etched Rooster Motif, Jaques Innocenti, 1960s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
Vintage White Ceramic Plate with Etched Rooster Motif, Jaques Innocenti, 1960s This vintage ceramic plate from the 1960s features a charming etched rooster motif in subtle relief, r...
Ceramic
$887Sale Price|57% Off
H 1.97 in Dm 13.78 in
Giovanni de Simone 1970s Ceramic Plate with Slaughter Multicolored Fish, Italy
By Giovanni de Simone
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Giovanni De simone 1970s ceramic plate with slaughter of multicolored fish and fishermen.
Ceramic
Danish Midcentury Hand Painted Ceramic Vase, 1950s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Scandinavian midcentury handpainted ceramic pitcher vase. Decorated with landscape motif of a Danish stone age viking grave built of large rocks. Multicolored unique decor...
Pottery, Ceramic, Stoneware
Sky Ceramic Plate, Signed by Jeppe Hagedorn, Denmark 1960s
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic plate by Jeppe Hagendorn, Denmark 1960s. This plate with sky blue and natural tones and a beautiful glaze and texture is a real eye catcher and statement piece. J...
Ceramic
Quality antique Victorian pewter lidded water jug
Located in Ipswich, GB
Quality antique Victorian pewter lidded water jug, having a quality antique Victorian water jug decorated with classical figures in white within gilded panels on a purple ground, hav...
Pewter
Sold
H 6 in W 6 in D 0.19 in
Set of Eleven Italian Tiles by Giovanni DeSimone, After Picasso, Circa 1960s
By Giovanni DeSimone, (after) Pablo Picasso
Located in Peabody, MA
A set of eleven glazed terra cotta tiles, ca. 1960s, by the Sicilian ceramicist Giovanni DeSimone (1930-1991). Each of these vintage 6”x6” tiles are hand decorated with one of his bo...
Ceramic
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, Pottery, Majolica
Cups by Giovanni DeSimone, Italy, C 1960, Expresso Cups
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in New York, NY
Decorative expresso cups by Giovanni DeSimone, Italy, C 1960. Three beautiful ceramic cups. One cup has a floral motif, the other two cups have decorative...
Ceramic
Sold
H 7.25 in Dm 10 in
Italian Giovanni Desimone Hand Painted Art Pottery Bowl Handles Octopus, Italy
By Giovanni DeSimone, DeSimone
Located in Miami, FL
A glazed and colorful Giovanni De Simone hand painted pottery bowl, circa 1960 from Italy. The painting depicts a number of fishermen on board a floating boat...
Pottery, Paint
Ceramic Hand-Painted Double Sided Vase by DeSimone, Italy
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful ceramic vase by famous artist DeSimone, hand-painted, circa 1950s, made in Italy. Signed on the bottom as shown. Double sided inspired by Picasso Cubism, there is a factory...
Ceramic