Giovanni De Simone 24" Round Ceramic Platter – Noah’s Ark Design, Vintage Collector’s Piece

Giovanni De Simone 24" Round Ceramic Platter – Noah’s Ark Design, Vintage Collector’s Piece

This stunning 24-inch round ceramic platter is an original work by Giovanni De Simone, the legendary Sicilian artisan celebrated for his bold colors and Picasso-inspired cubist style. Hand-painted in Palermo, Italy, this vintage piece features a vibrant and whimsical interpretation of Noah’s Ark, showcasing De Simone’s unmistakable brushwork and vivid color palette.

Whether displayed as a statement wall plate or used as a dramatic centerpiece platter, this rare ceramic treasure captures the joyful, expressive spirit of De Simone’s artistry. With its bright reds, blues, yellows, and distinctive black outlines, this piece is a true reflection of Italian mid-century modern design and folk tradition.

• Authentic Giovanni De Simone original

• Vintage ceramic wall plate or serving platter

• Features the iconic Noah’s Ark motif

• Hand-painted in Palermo, Sicily

• Measures 24 inches in diameter

• A rare, museum-quality collector’s item

Highly sought after by collectors of Italian ceramics, this De Simone platter is not just décor—it’s a piece of ceramic art history. In excellent vintage condition, it remains one of the most coveted and hard-to-find designs from the De Simone collection.

Own a rare masterpiece of Sicilian ceramic heritage—this Giovanni De Simone original won’t be available for long.

Giovanni De Simone: The Bold Visionary of Sicilian Ceramics

Giovanni De Simone, the renowned ceramic artist from Palermo, Sicily, is celebrated for his vibrant use of color, cubist-inspired designs, and bold, imaginative storytelling through clay. A true innovator in the world of Italian ceramics, De Simone blended centuries-old Sicilian traditions with a distinctly modern voice, making his work instantly recognizable and highly collectible around the world.

Early in his life, Giovanni De Simone had the extraordinary opportunity to work alongside Pablo Picasso, an experience that profoundly influenced his artistic journey. Known for his fearless use of bright red glaze, De Simone once shared:
“Picasso loved that innovation. I express what comes through my imagination, filtering old and new memories, comparing my experiences and my understanding.” — Giovanni De Simone, 1991

De Simone’s pieces are characterized by their playful yet sophisticated cubist drawing style, bold black outlines, and joyful depictions of Sicilian life—fishermen, sun-soaked villages, lemons, roosters, and musicians—all painted in intense primary colors. His work pays homage to Mediterranean folklore, childhood memories, and the raw, expressive energy of mid-century modern art.

As a master of handcrafted Sicilian maiolica, De Simone’s ceramics are not only functional but deeply personal. Every plate, vase, pitcher, and tile carries the unmistakable imprint of his imagination, capturing the soul of Sicily with a modern, avant-garde twist.

Today, the Giovanni De Simone Studio continues his legacy, producing authentic De Simone ceramics by hand in Palermo, staying true to his original techniques, color palette, and design spirit.

At Biordi Art Imports, we are proud to offer select De Simone ceramics, rare pieces that celebrate the genius of a man who forever changed the landscape of Italian artisan pottery.

Explore the world of Giovanni De Simone—where Sicilian tradition meets modern artistic brilliance.

Italian ceramics are heirloom quality products, and can last lifetime with proper care. We have some suggestions that will preserve your majolica for years to come.

Majolica is dishwasher safe, but many people choose to hand wash their pieces as a precaution. Because majolica is a porous material, some pieces are not meant to hold liquid for a long period of time. Check for warning labels before ordering a product, as the pieces that are most notorious for "sweating" are appropriately labeled.

Majolica is sensitive to extreme temperatures, specifically boiling or freezing liquids. Pouring water with a rolling boil directly into a teapot, for example, may lead to breakage. To avoid this, temper the object. The industry standard is 620 degrees Celsius (1,148 degrees Fahrenheit). Quench the glass to cool it.

Crazing is common in well used majolica. The tiny cracks in the glaze do not affect the functionality of your majolica.

Majolica hand-crafted products should not be microwaved, as it may crack and/or break the ceramics.

UPS Ground

Flat shipping charge of $10 for each shipment of merchandise under $100.00. For orders of $100.00 or more, shipping is 10% of the order total.

UPS Next Day Air

Flat shipping charge of $63 for each shipment of merchandise under $70.00. For orders of $70.00 or more, shipping is 90% of the order total.

UPS 2-Day Priority (Rush Shipping)

Flat shipping charge of $42 for each shipment of merchandise under $70.00. For orders of $70.00 or more, shipping is 60% of the order total. Note: This option is required for shipping to Alaska and Hawaii.

USPS 3-Day Priority

Flat shipping charge of $21 for each shipment of merchandise under $70.00. For orders of $70.00 or more, shipping is 30% of the order total.

International Shipments

Please contact us at customerservice@biordi.com or call us at (415) 392-8096 for quotes to ship internationally.

You will be charged a rate based on your delivery area, value and shipping preference. For items shipped via UPS, see below for information pricing information. Once the package is shipped, you will receive an email with tracking information to track your package.