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.
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.
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.
Pottery
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...
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 ...
Pottery, Paint
Midcentury Italian Pottery Candleholders
By Aldo Londi
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Designer: Unknown Importer: Raymore Period/Model: Mid-Century Modern Specs: Pottery These mid century Italian pottery candle hold...
Pottery
Vintage Square Embossed Persian Ceramic Tile, Hand Painted, 1960s
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Vintage wall hanging Persian ceramic tile, hand painted and glazed in multicolour floral and geometric motifs.
Ceramic
A. Martin Vallauris French Provençal Palissy Trompe L’oeil Vegetable Wall Plate
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A rarely seen Palissy style Provençal majolica trompe l’oeil wall plaque made and signed by the potter A. Martin, from Vallauris, Cote d’Azur, France, Mid-Century Modern Era, circa ...
Ceramic
Stoneware Clay Plate in Terracotta Colour Hand Cast in UK
By Custhom
Located in London, GB
The pieces are slip cast in London, made from stoneware in small batches. The hand painted details around the rim of each item in the collection is created by glaze in a complimentar...
Cast Stone
Stoneware Clay Plate in Stone Colour Hand Cast in UK
By Custhom
Located in London, GB
The pieces are slip cast in London, made from stoneware in small batches. The hand painted details around the rim of each item in the collection is created by glaze in a complimentar...
Cast Stone
Early 17th Century Ottoman Empire Iznik Pottery Dish
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
An Iznik pottery dish made in the first half of the 17th century and decorated with chrysanthemums and tulips. The rim features the rock and wave pattern. Under the direction of O...
Ceramic
Sky Ceramic Plate Hand Painted Glazed Earthenware Italian, Contemporary
Located in London, GB
Hand painted ceramic plate "Sky" series by Pantoù Ceramics, hand thrown and hand painted glazed earthenware. All unique pieces, Italy, 2019. Measure: 40 cm diameter. Pantoù Cerami...
Ceramic, Earthenware
$185 / item
H 0.75 in Dm 10 in
Ed Langbein Mid-Century Modern Hand Painted Italian Hilltop Village Plate
By Ed Langbein
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Mid-Century Modern pottery plates, designed and hand-painted by the American industrial designer Ed E. Langbein, and manufactured in Italy, circa 1930-1950. Offered individually, ea...
Pottery
$1,134
H 2.76 in W 12.21 in D 12.21 in
Important Wall Ceramic Abstract Plate Decoration by JN Gerard French Pottery
By Jean Nicolas Gerard
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
J.N. Gerard French ceramic wall plate realised in the 1990s. Excellent original conditions, signed under the base Dimensions: 7 x 31 x 31cm.
Pottery
$292Sale Price|30% Off
H 11.03 in Dm 8.27 in
Vintage Spanish Ceramic Porrón, Hand-Painted Rooster, 1960s
By Pablo Picasso, Bitossi, Fratelli Fanciullacci
Located in Valencia, VC
Spanish Mid-Century Ceramic Porrón with Hand-Painted Rooster A very charming Spanish ceramic porrón featuring a beautiful interplay of textures—white glossy spots over a matte cream...
Ceramic, Clay, Earthenware
Black Glazed Decorative Pottery Small Size
By Bloom Home Inc
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Small black glazed pottery, wabi sabi style with perfect imperfections. Overall Size: 7.5"D x 7.5"H Opening: 5"
Clay, Terracotta
$1,313
H 11.82 in W 11.82 in D 1.19 in
Giovanni de Simone Colored Ceramic Fish Squared Tile Plate, Italy 1960s
By Giovanni de Simone, Pablo Picasso
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
Sold
H 10 in W 7 in D 6 in
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.
Ceramic
Sold
H 8 in W 7.5 in D 6 in
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...
Ceramic
DeSimone of Italy, Hand Painted Bright Red and Blue Flowers Ceramic Plate, 1960s
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Colorful hand painted blue and red flowers, large ceramic plate by DeSimone, Italy, circa 1960s A super, fun plate from Desimone Signed DeSimone to reverse, circa 1960s Measures: Hei...
Ceramic
Giovanni DeSimone Signed Large Round Hand Painted Minstrel Italian Plate
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Colourful Italian Minstrel hand painted ceramic plate by Giovanni DeSimone of Italy Giovanni's unmistakable artistry makes this a great collectors piece Signed to front by Giovanni D...
Ceramic
Desimone Hand Painted Art Pottery Flower Vase Musicians and Proposal Scene 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 proposal scene of a man t...
Pottery, Paint
Italian Giovanni Desimone Hand Painted Big Art Pottery Flower Vase, Vessel Italy
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Miami, FL
Original 1964 Italian Giovanni Desimone hand painted tall art pottery flower vase, vessel. The glazed vase painting depicts a man and a woman orange ...
Pottery, Paint
Sold
H 4.38 in W 5.5 in D 4 in
Italian Giovanni DeSimone Hand Painted Art Pottery Decor Mug, Cup Fisherman Net
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Miami, FL
Original Italian Giovanni Desimone hand painted art pottery, decor mug or cup with a scene of a fisherman casting his net an...
Pottery, Paint
Sold
H 0.88 in Dm 8.75 in
Italian DeSimone Hand Painted Pottery Round Decor Plate Big Fish Fishermen Italy
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Miami, FL
Original Italian Giovanni DeSimone hand painted art pottery, round decor plate depicts a scene of fishermen in a boot catching a big fish on a sunny day. ...
Pottery, Paint
Sold
H 3.75 in W 4 in D 3 in
Italian Giovanni DeSimone Hand Painted Art Pottery Decor Milk, Creamer Jug Italy
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Miami, FL
Original Italian Giovanni DeSimone hand painted art pottery, decor milk or creamer jug with a scene of a fisherman casting nets of sh...
Pottery, Paint
Sold
H 1.5 in W 9.38 in D 9.38 in
Italian Giovanni Desimone Hand Painted Art Pottery Square Decor Plate, Fisherman
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Miami, FL
Original Italian Giovanni Desimone hand painted art pottery, square decor plate with a scene of a fisherman casting his net. The pla...
Pottery, Paint
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
Italian Giovanni Desimone Hand Painted Pottery, Decanter, Vessel
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Miami, FL
Original Italian Giovanni Desimone hand painted pottery, decanter, vessel. The decanter has different motifs and it is glazed. Marked and number...
Pottery, Paint