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
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
$841Sale Price|30% Off
Ceramic Plate De Simone Colored 1960s Sailing Ship with Warriors
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Ceramic Plate De Simone colored 1960s sailing ship with warriors, Fenini, Arabs, Normans towards the island of Sicily to consuist it.
Ceramic
Glorious, Original Signed Giovanni DeSimone Madonna And Child Ceramic Plaque
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Madonna and Child ceramic plaque - a glorious creation by Giovanni DeSimone, Italy A limited edition piece, this is number 25 of 30 Signed to front by G...
Ceramic
$19,850Sale Price|39% Off
H 44.25 in W 51.38 in D 3 in
Italian 18th Century Oil on Canvas "Madonna and Child" after Giovanni Lanfranco
By Giovanni Lanfranco
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine Italian 18th century oil on canvas "Madonna and Child" after Giovanni Lanfranco (Italian, 1582-1647). The young Virgin Mary attending to...
Canvas, Giltwood
$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
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
$630
H 11.75 in W 7.75 in D 0.5 in
Antique KPM Porcelain Style Plaque "Madonna Della Sedia" After Raphael
By KPM Porcelain
Located in Atlanta, GA
Antique KPM Porcelain Style Plaque "Madonna Della Sedia" After Raphael (Italian, 15th - 16th century). A fine quality porcelain plaque with hand painted enamel surface decorated wit...
Enamel
$1,142
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
$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
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
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
$841
H 8.94 in W 8.94 in D 1.11 in
Modernist West German Ceramic Wall Plate Object by Helmut Schäffenacker, 1960s
By Helmut Friedrich Schäffenacker
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Ceramic wall plate Decade: 1960s Producer: Atelier Schäffenacker, Ulm Germany Design: Helmut Schäffenacker This original vintage ceramic wall plate...
Ceramic
$18,500
H 75.5 in W 57.5 in D 3.25 in
Large & Impressive Oil on Canvas "Madonna & Child" After Murillo - V. Bianchini
By Bartolomé Esteban Murillo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Large and Impressive Early 20th Century Oil on Canvas "Madonna and Child" After Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (Spanish, 1618-1682) depicting a seated Virgin Mary with a baby Jesus Chri...
Canvas, Giltwood
$133Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.98 in Dm 2.92 in
Ceramic Hand-Painted Candlestick Candle Holder by DeSimone, Italy
By DeSimone, Giovanni 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, Majolica, Pottery
Madonna and Child, Fine Berlin KPM Plaque, Signed A. Deckelmann
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Madonna and Child, Fine Berlin KPM Plaque Last quarter of the 19th century After Raphael, depicting the Madonna and child with a river and city in the dis...
Woman on Majolica Tile Giovanni de Simone 1960s Italian Design
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Woman on Majolica tile Giovanni de Simone 1960s Italian design.
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
Sold
H 0.4 in W 5.91 in D 5.91 in
Original Signed by Giovanni DeSimone, Italy, Hand Painted Ceramic Tile Grapes
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Signed by Giovanni Desimone, this original hand painted ceramic tile of a man with grapes and bird is full of color and vibrancy - typical of Giovanni's work, Signed to front by Gio...
Ceramic
Sold
H 0.4 in W 5.91 in D 5.91 in
Original Signed by Giovanni DeSimone, Italy, Hand Painted Ceramic Tile 'Fishing'
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Signed by Giovanni DeSimone, this original hand painted ceramic tile of a fisherman bringing in his catch is full of color and vibrancy, typ...
Ceramic
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