Original Vintage Giovanni DeSimone Hand-Painted Italian Espresso Cup & Saucer – Happy Girl

Original Vintage Giovanni DeSimone Handcrafted Espresso Cup

Sicily, Italy | One-of-a-Kind Art Object

An original vintage Giovanni DeSimone espresso cup and saucer featuring a cheerful hand-painted “happy girl” motif. Crafted in Italy, this petite set brings warmth and personality to the espresso ritual.

This vintage espresso cup and saucer by Giovanni DeSimone captures a moment of pure charm through its joyful, hand-painted “happy girl” motif. The cup features a smiling face with softly blushed cheeks and warm brown hair, rendered in the artist’s signature naïve style—simple, expressive, and full of character. The figure’s gentle expression creates an immediate sense of warmth, transforming a small object into something personal and engaging.

The palette is balanced and inviting, with earthy browns, soft pinks, and touches of violet and red, all set against a creamy white ground. The matching saucer, defined by its bold red band, frames the cup with a striking yet harmonious contrast. The handle, slightly angular and hand-formed, adds to the piece’s sculptural quality.

Intimate in scale and entirely handcrafted, this set reflects the spontaneity and individuality that define DeSimone ceramics. Ideal for the espresso lover, collector, or thoughtful gift-giver, it elevates a daily ritual into a moment of artistry. Unlike mass-produced cups, each detail reveals the human hand—making it as meaningful to display as it is to use.

Artisan & Place
Giovanni DeSimone – Italy

Product Details

• Original vintage Giovanni DeSimone set
• Handcrafted and hand-painted in Italy
• Espresso cup with matching saucer
• One-of-a-kind artisan variation

Styling & Use
Perfect for espresso service, a curated coffee corner, or displayed within a collection of Italian art pottery. A charming gift for collectors, hostesses, or special occasions.

Curated by Biordi Art Imports — San Francisco’s Italian ceramics authority since 1946.

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.