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
Italian Terracotta Gold Glazed Incised Figural Pitcher by Fratelli Fanciullacci
By Fratelli Fanciullacci, Elbee
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage terracotta pitcher with incised design and hand-painted gold handle/accents designed by Fratelli Fanciullacci for Elbee (ca. 1950s, ltaly). Etched sgraffito linear pattern wi...
Terracotta
Art Deco Zuid-Holland Gouda "Espera" Bulbous Matte Glaze Ceramic Pitcher
By Gouda Plateelbakkerij Zuid-Holland
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Circa 1946 Art Deco ceramic pitcher/jug from Gouda, Holland in the "Espera" pattern. Bulbous, amorphic form with a dimpled/pinched detail to the lower front side. Features a unique a...
Ceramic
1940s Studio Pottery Chicken Pitcher by Emily Reinse
By Emily Reinse
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1947 studio pottery chicken pitcher / decorative object by ceramicist and former art professor, Emily Reinse. Flaxen-yellow glaze with drip-applied dar...
Ceramic
Studio Ceramic Terracotta Vase with Crude Figural Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
American Studio Pottery work featuring a hand painted Primitive figure motif on terracotta, circa 1970s. Attractive combinations of colors; the ochre and brown background contrast ni...
Terracotta
Vintage Italian Modernist Gilt Ceramic "Seta" Pitcher by Aldo Londi for Bitossi
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Luxurious vintage ceramic jug/pitcher with sculptural handle from the Seta (silk) line designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi (ca. 1960s, Italy). Composed of rose, orange, light blue, an...
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
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
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
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
Ceramic Pitcher by DeSimone, Italy, C 1960, Red, Green & Yellow, Decorative Vase
By DeSimone
Located in New York, NY
Ceramic pitcher by DeSimone, Italy, C 1960. This is a wild design with beautiful strong colors, red, green, yellow on a white background. The pitcher is signed. It can be used as a p...
Ceramic
Gustave Reynaud Ceramic Figurine Pitcher c. 1960
By Gustave Reynaud
Located in Long Island City, NY
Gustave Reynaud ceramic figurine pitcher/vase c. 1960.
Ceramic
