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.
Hand Painted Italian Modernist Ceramic Figural Vase by Giovanni De Simone
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Hand-painted ceramic vase by Sicilian aristocrat turned artist, Giovanni De Simone (1964, Italy). Figural piece depicting a smiling girl in a headdress in De Simone's signature vibra...
Ceramic
$300
H 3.25 in Dm 2.38 in
Diminutive Italian Modern Ceramic "King" Candle Holder by Giovannni De Simone
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Small hand-painted ceramic candle holder by Sicilian aristocrat turned artist, Giovanni De Simone. Unique, king figural form in De Simone's signature vibrant colors of yellow, red, o...
Ceramic
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
Mid Century Glazed Ceramic Abstract Figure / Candle Holder
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid Century Glazed Ceramic Abstract Figure / Candle Holder
Ceramic
DeSimone Hand Painted Ceramic Vase
By DeSimone
Located in Fulton, CA
Hand-painted ceramic vase by Desimone, Italy, circa. 1970's. Signed on base. 5.63 inches high. 3.13 inch diameter.
Ceramic
Britt Louise Sundell for Gustavsberg. Rare ceramic candlestick. A groom.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Britt Louise Sundell for Gustavsberg. Rare ceramic candlestick in the form of a groom. Hand-glazed. 1960s. Perfect condition. Signed. Dimensions: H 19.5 cm x D 12.0 cm.
Ceramic
$242Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.44 in Dm 5.52 in
Vintage French Ceramic Candle Holder by Gustave Reynaud for Le Mûrier
By Le Murier
Located in London, GB
Vintage French ceramic candle holder by Le Mûrier (circa 1960s). A delightful piece with Le Mûrier's signature style, a light creamy colour as base with red flower and foliage painte...
Ceramic
Rometti Umbertide Ceramic Candle Holder, Circa 1930
By Rometti Ceramics 1
Located in Rome, IT
This captivating ceramic candle holder by Rometti Umbertide is a fine example of Italian craftsmanship from the renowned ceramics studio, dating back to 1927. A part of a limited ser...
Ceramic
$1,450
H 9 in W 425 in D 4.25 in
Art Deco Hand-Painted Porcelain Candlesticks by Desvres, France, 1930
By Desvres
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
French mint condition candlesticks possibly by Desvres, circa 1930 standing 12 3/4 inches tall. These were modeled after candlesticks by 18th century artist Joseph Olery Moustiers an...
Porcelain
$1,080 / set
H 14.5 in Dm 7.5 in
Pair Italian Hand-Painted Ceramic Candlesticks by Nino Parrucca, Whimsical
Located in Miami, FL
Pair Italian Hand-Painted Ceramic Candlesticks by Nino Parrucca, Whimsical A vibrant and highly decorative pair of Italian hand-painted majolica style glazed candlesticks, signed N...
Ceramic
Aldo Londi Ceramic Candlestick Blue Glazed Bitossi Mid 20th Century Rimini Blu
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This exquisite Bitossi candle holder embodies the vibrant spirit of mid-20th-century Italian ceramics, particularly from the iconic Rimini Blu collection designed by Aldo Londi. Craf...
Ceramic, Pottery
Mid-Century Bitossi Rimini Blu Candle Holder by Aldo Londi, Italy
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This striking Mid-Century Modern candle holder was designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi Ceramiche as part of the iconic "Rimini Blu" series. Crafted in Italy during the 1960s, this handmade ceramic chamberstick features a vibrant blue glaze with characteristic embossed geometric decorations around the body. The piece has a central candle socket with a surrounding dish to catch wax drips and a raised handle, reminiscent of antique chambersticks...
Ceramic, Pottery
Vintage Italian Pottery and Leather Diabolo Vase by Marcello Fantoni for Raymor
By Raymor, Marcello Fantoni
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Mid-Century Modern Italian diabolo shaped and goat leather wrapped pottery vase by Marcello Fantoni,depicting the abstract image of a girl.
Ceramic, Clay, Pottery, Leather
Fratelli Fanciullacci Pottery Vase Moroccan Pattern Design 1960s Italian Raymor
By Fratelli Fanciullacci
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A lovely Moroccan style art pottery vase by Fratelli Fanciullacci from the 1960s, made of brown chamotte clay with incised decoration in Sgraffito technique with an applied twisted h...
Ceramic
Carl Harry Stalhane Hand-Painted Ceramic Table Lamp, Rörstrand, 1960s
By Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
The Carl Harry Stalhane hand-painted table lamp is a stunning and unique piece of ceramic lighting design. The lamp is made of glazed and hand-painted...
Ceramic, Stoneware, Teak
Stunning Handmade Ceramic Candelabra Candle Holder Beate Kuhn Style Mid-Century
By Beate Kuhn
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This brutalist object has a unique and creative design, featuring an arrangement of 12 candle holders, each in the shape of a mushroom, arranged in different levels to create a visua...
Ceramic, Pottery
