Giovanni DeSimone Platters and Serveware
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.
1990s Italian Modern Giovanni DeSimone Platters and Serveware
Pottery, Paint
1960s Italian Vintage Giovanni DeSimone Platters and Serveware
Ceramic
1960s Italian Vintage Giovanni DeSimone Platters and Serveware
Ceramic
1860s German Antique Giovanni DeSimone Platters and Serveware
Pottery
2010s American Organic Modern Giovanni DeSimone Platters and Serveware
Ceramic, Stoneware
Mid-20th Century French Giovanni DeSimone Platters and Serveware
Pottery
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Giovanni DeSimone Platters and Serveware
Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Giovanni DeSimone Platters and Serveware
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Giovanni DeSimone Platters and Serveware
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Italian Giovanni DeSimone Platters and Serveware
Ceramic
20th Century Italian Giovanni DeSimone Platters and Serveware
Pottery
20th Century Mexican Folk Art Giovanni DeSimone Platters and Serveware
Clay
1970s American Modern Vintage Giovanni DeSimone Platters and Serveware
Aluminum
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Giovanni DeSimone Platters and Serveware
Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery
Late 20th Century Italian Other Giovanni DeSimone Platters and Serveware
Ceramic