{"product_id":"sole-folk-planter","title":"Sole Folk Planter 7\"","description":"\u003ch4\u003eDESCRIPTION\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis \u003cstrong\u003eSole Folk Planter\u003c\/strong\u003e is hand-painted by \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/susanna-desimone\"\u003eSusanna DeSimone\u003c\/a\u003e at her family's studio — \u003cstrong\u003eFabbrica della Ceramica\u003c\/strong\u003e — in Palermo, Sicily, as part of her Folk line. A smiling sun face with rosy cheeks, ringed in teal, sits inside a burst of bright orange petals and fine yellow rays. \"Sole\" means sun. It is drawn in the bold, playful line the DeSimone family has been known for since Giovanni DeSimone worked alongside Pablo Picasso.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe square planter has a glazed white body, a natural unglazed terracotta rim, and four small feet. At 7\" x 7\", it holds a small houseplant, herbs, succulents, or an orchid — or use it as a utensil crock or catch-all.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach Susanna DeSimone piece is hand-crafted, hand-glazed, and hand-painted in Palermo, so no two are ever identical.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe small imperfections such as the difference in color, shape, diameter or small bubbles that form inside, do not constitute a defect but testify that it is actually an artisanal product.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7\" x 7\" (16.5 x 20 cm)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hand-painted Sicilian majolica (tin-glazed earthenware) with unglazed terracotta rim\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade in:\u003c\/strong\u003e Palermo, Sicily\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWorkshop:\u003c\/strong\u003e Susanna DeSimone, Fabbrica della Ceramica\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePattern:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sole, Folk line — smiling sun face with orange petals and teal ring; a Susanna DeSimone original\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeritage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sicilian majolica in the cubist-folk style of Giovanni DeSimone\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUses:\u003c\/strong\u003e Indoor planter · cachepot · utensil crock or catch-all\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCare:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wipe clean with a damp cloth · Not dishwasher safe · Not microwave safe · Not oven safe · Best indoors or in a covered spot; bring inside before frost\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSold as:\u003c\/strong\u003e Individual planter\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMixes with:\u003c\/strong\u003e The Gallo Folk Planter; other Susanna DeSimone Folk pieces\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Each piece signed by Susanna DeSimone; bears the \"Fabbrica della Ceramica\" studio mark\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eQuestions buyers ask\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it for plants or for the kitchen?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEither. It is made as a planter, and it also works as a crock for wooden spoons or a catch-all on a desk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I plant directly in it, and can it go outside?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor best results, keep your plant in its nursery pot and set it inside, so you can water without soaking the ceramic. It is best kept indoors or in a covered spot. Bring it inside before frost, since freezing can crack hand-glazed ceramics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it come in another design?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The same Folk planter comes as the Gallo Folk Planter, with a rooster. The two look wonderful side by side on a windowsill.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's the difference between Susanna DeSimone and Giovanni DeSimone?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGiovanni DeSimone founded the studio in Palermo and worked alongside Pablo Picasso, who loved his innovation of using bright red in glazed ceramics. Susanna DeSimone is Giovanni's daughter and continues the studio today as Fabbrica della Ceramica. She paints in a similar cubist-folk style with her own palette and signature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a good Christmas gift?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. This sun face planter, hand-painted by Susanna DeSimone in Palermo, Sicily, is an Italian Christmas gift that's ready to plant — tuck a small poinsettia, amaryllis, or rosemary inside for the holidays, and it stays out all year. Order by December 15, 2026 for ground shipping in time for Christmas, or add Florentine gift wrap at checkout and we'll send it ready to give.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's a good Christmas gift for someone who loves plants?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Sole Folk Planter. It is hand-painted and signed by Susanna DeSimone in Palermo, and it turns any houseplant into a piece of Italian folk art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a good Italian wedding gift?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — on its own or with other Susanna DeSimone pieces. A signed, hand-painted piece from a historic Palermo studio is a gift the couple will keep for years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a good housewarming or hostess gift?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — add a plant and it's a ready-made housewarming gift. We gift-wrap on request and ship nationwide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy buy Italian gifts from Biordi rather than other retailers?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBiordi Art Imports has been San Francisco's source for authentic Italian ceramics and gifts since 1946. Voted \u003cstrong\u003eBest Overall Retailer\u003c\/strong\u003e in the San Francisco Bay Guardian Best of the Bay readers' poll for \u003cstrong\u003efive consecutive years\u003c\/strong\u003e. Designated a \u003cstrong\u003eSan Francisco Legacy Business\u003c\/strong\u003e (#LBR-2020-21-029), and the city declared \u003cstrong\u003eMay 1 \"Biordi Art Imports Day\"\u003c\/strong\u003e in 2021. Every piece comes from a named Italian artisan, family workshop, or heritage house we work with directly — FIMA, CF Deruta, Pia Formato, Eugenio Ricciarelli, Susanna DeSimone, Geribi, Bucci Ceramiche, Ortigia Sicilia, Italesse, and Salviati.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan this be customized or personalized?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCustomization and personalization are available on select pieces. Eugenio Ricciarelli, FIMA, Pia Formato, Geribi, and CF Deruta accept special orders — a name, date, or occasion painted on the piece, or a different size or shape in the workshop's existing pattern. Lead time is typically 3–6 months because each piece is hand-painted to order in Italy. Contact Biordi Art Imports at (415) 392-8096 or customerservice@biordi.com.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eARTISAN STORY\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Susanna DeSimone artistic tradition was founded in Palermo, Sicily, by her father \u003cstrong\u003eGiovanni DeSimone\u003c\/strong\u003e — a renowned and innovative artisan known for intense colors and a cubist drawing style similar to Pablo Picasso. Early in his career, Giovanni DeSimone worked alongside Picasso, and the two shared an innovation: the use of bright red in glazed ceramics, which Picasso loved. \u003cem\u003e\"I express what comes through my imagination, filtering old and new memories, comparing my experiences and my understanding,\"\u003c\/em\u003e Giovanni DeSimone wrote in 1991.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBiordi Art Imports was the first US distributor of Giovanni DeSimone's work\u003c\/strong\u003e — a relationship that continues today with his daughter, \u003cstrong\u003eSusanna DeSimone\u003c\/strong\u003e, who carries the tradition forward. Her limited production bears her signature alongside the studio's new name, \u003cstrong\u003eFabbrica della Ceramica\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"DE SIMONE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67962314489909,"sku":"6826","price":240.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1001\/9802\/files\/Sun-facedterracottaplanter.png?v=1794531950","url":"https:\/\/biordi.com\/products\/sole-folk-planter","provider":"Biordi Art Imports","version":"1.0","type":"link"}