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 Hand Painted Ceramic Water Jug
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Fulton, CA
Hand painted ceramic pitcher by Giovanni DeSimone. Italy, circa. 1970's. Signed on base. 6.75 inches high. 6.5 inches wide. 4 inches deep.
Ceramic
$950
H 8 in W 7.25 in D 6.75 in
Vintage Italian Hand Painted Ceramic Figural Pitcher Vase by Giovanni de Simone
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Hand-painted ceramic sculptural pitcher/vase by Sicilian aristocrat turned artist, Giovanni De Simone (1964, Italy). Unique, figural form with hand-painted details in De Simone's sig...
Ceramic
$236Sale Price|20% Off
H 8.13 in W 6.5 in D 5.63 in
Giovanni Desimone Hand Painted Ceramic Jug / Pitcher, Italy, 1985
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Giovanni Desimone Hand Painted Ceramic Jug / Pitcher, Italy, 1985.
Ceramic
Giovanni de Simone Hand-Painted Jug Vase
By Giovanni de Simone
Located in Skokie, IL
Giovanni de Simone Hand-Painted Jug Vase This three-sided handled jug vase by famed Italian artist Giovanni de Simone (1930-1991) is an original gem. The...
Ceramic
A small vintage Italian ceramic pitcher after Gambone, circa 1960
By Guido Gambone
Located in View Park, CA
A mid century modern ceramic pitcher, after Guido Gambone, circa 1960. In tones of pine, chartreuse, and mustard, and signed on verso.
Ceramic
Mid-century Italian Vintage Ceramic Pitcher, 1960s
Located in LEGNY, FR
Very nice ceramic pitcher from the 60s with Italian inspiration. Beautiful graphic decor in blue and red. Unsigned. Very good condition.
Ceramic
$707
H 5.71 in W 4.93 in D 5.99 in
Hand-Painted Ceramic Pitcher Vase, Mid-Century Modern, Denmark, 1950s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
1950s handmade, hand-painted ceramic Mediterranean style pitcher vase. Simplistic red brick colored flowers on green stems on warm cream yellow base. Beautiful vintage condition. D...
Ceramic, Clay, Pottery, Stoneware
Vintage Hand-Painted Italian Pottery Water Pitcher by Montopola Arno
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage hand-painted Italian pottery water pitcher by Montopola Arno, circa 1960s. The piece is in good vintage condition with expected wear and a few small dings and chips. It mea...
Ceramic
$254Sale Price|56% Off
H 4.14 in Dm 3.75 in
Hand-Painted Ceramic Pitcher Vase, Floral Design, Portuguese, 1960s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Handmade, handpainted Portuguese floral organic modern ceramic pitcher vase. Blue and ochre colored birds in flight holding a green branch and floral lea...
Ceramic, Stoneware, Pottery
$715Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.88 in W 6.7 in D 5.32 in
Vintage Hand-Painted French Ceramic Pitcher by Le Mûrier, 1960s
By Le Murier
Located in London, GB
Vintage French ceramic country kitchen pitcher by Le Mûrier (circa 1960s). A charming, classically formed pitcher with a rectangular-shaped handle in the unmistakable Le Mûrier Prove...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Modern French Earthenware Pitcher Signed Accolay, Studio Pottery
By Accolay Pottery
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Mid-Century Modern French earthenware pitcher signed accolay, Beautiful ceramic pitcher decorated with geometrics decor. The use of a dark eart...
Enamel
Mid-century French Ceramic Pitcher by René Maurel, 1966, Era Ruelland
By René Maurel
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Mid-century French Ceramic Pitcher by René Maurel, 1966, Era Ruelland The pitcher is glazed in a beige tone with subtle brown hues and occasional bluish reflections. A frieze of mot...
Enamel
Mid-century French Ceramic Pitcher by René Maurel, 1967, Era Ruelland
By René Maurel
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Mid-century French Ceramic Pitcher by René Maurel, 1967, Era Ruelland The pitcher is glazed in a beige tone with subtle brown hues a. A frieze of motifs depicts scenes from a cerami...
Enamel
20th Century French White Ceramic Pitcher by René Maurel, 1970's
By René Maurel
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
20th century French white ceramic pitcher by René Maurel, 1970's The pitcher is glazed in a brilliant creamy white. It is decorated with an animal frieze ...
Ceramic
20th Century French Ceramic Pitcher by René Maurel, 1965, Animal Decoration
By René Maurel
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
20th century French white ceramic pitcher by René Maurel, 1960's The pitcher is glazed in a brilliant creamy white. It is decorated with a cats frieze w...
Enamel
Mid-Century French Ceramic Pitcher by Naumovitch Gourju, Grand Chêne, Vallauris
By Ljuba Naumovitch, Le Grand Chêne 1
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Mid-century French Ceramic Pitcher by Naumovitch - Grand Chêne Studio, Vallauris Pitcher with a bright white background, it is glazed and decorated in an ...
Enamel
