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.
Mid-Century Modern Hand-Painted Ceramic Vase by Giovanni DeSimone
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Miami, FL
One-of-kind vase, hand-crafted and hand-painted by Giovanni Desimone. Great design with whimsical images on both sides. Signed and numbered, this rare piece is colorful as the us...
Ceramic
Small West Germany Ceramic Vase, Vintage Mid-Century Art Pottery
Located in Miami, FL
A fine quality mid-century ceramic vase from West Germany, circa 1970s. Hand-crafted using centuries old techniques. This West Germany ceramic vase epitomizes the sharp, clean lin...
Ceramic
Julio Fajardo Colombian Modernist Ceramic Pitcher Vase, Figural Studio Pottery
Located in Miami, FL
A striking and highly sculptural vintage Colombian ceramic pitcher vase by Julio Fajardo of Ibagué, Colombia, executed in an expressive modernist figural form reminiscent of the elon...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Vase by Saint Clément, Hand-Painted, France
By Saint-Clément
Located in Miami, FL
Colorful French mid-20th Century ceramic vase stamped Saint Clement France. A gorgeous decorative object with a wonderful black background and green over...
Ceramic
Large Mid-Century Modern West German Ceramic Vase, Abstract with Handle
By West German Pottery
Located in Miami, FL
A striking large-scale Mid-Century Modern West German ceramic floor vase featuring an architectural sculptural silhouette with a distinctive loop handle and richly textured volcanic ...
Ceramic
1930s French Art Deco Handcrafted Ceramic Vase, Glazed Pottery
Located in Miami, FL
This dazzling glazed French Art Deco ceramic vase or small planter was handcrafted. The mixture of colors are truly beautiful. It can...
Ceramic, Pottery
Mid-Century Modern Hand-Painted Ceramic Vase by Roberto Rigon, Italy
By Roberto Rigon
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Italian Mid-Century Modern Ceramics This Italian ceramic vase by Roberto Rigon from the 1970s is a vibrant expression of mid-century craftsmanship and colour innovation. The piece c...
Ceramic
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
Italian Midcentury Ceramic Modernist Collectors Vase by Art Rumi Orobico, 1950s
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Gorgeous and rare, unique ceramic vase hand painted and signed with G.R. by artist from Italian ceramic studio Orobico Arte Artigianato (ART RUMI) in the 1950s. The vase is made of ...
Ceramic
Italian Midcentury Ceramic Vase by Umberto Zannoni, Faenza, 1950s
By Umberto Zannoni
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Italian Mid-Century Ceramic Vase by Umberto Zannoni, Faenza, 1950s Beautiful ceramic vase signed Umberto Zannoni, Faenza manufactured in the 1950s. Signed. The vase has a typical d...
Ceramic
Ceramic Vase By Guerrino Tramonti, Faenza
By Guerrino Tramonti
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Ceramic vase designed and produced by Guerrino Tramonti in 1950, Faenza. Glazed ceramic. Single piece. Original signature. Biography "Master of applied arts" who was involved in t...
Ceramic
Desimone bottle / vase /vessel ceramic/pottery signed dated.
By Giovanni DeSimone, DeSimone
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare ceramic / pottery bottle by Desimone , attributed to himself creator and founder Giovanni DeSimone , also dated . appears 1961 .
Ceramic
