Collection: Autogrill Plates by De Simone – Vintage Italian Highway Memorabilia

Discover Authentic 1960s–70s Autogrill Plates by Giovanni De Simone

Step into the golden age of Italian road travel with our exclusive collection of vintage Autogrill plates designed by the legendary Sicilian artist Giovanni De Simone (1930–1991). During the 1960s–70s, Autogrill—Italy's iconic motorway service areas—collaborated with De Simone to create these hand-painted ceramic souvenir plates, sold at famous highway rest stops along the autostrada.

What Makes These Plates Special:
• Regional Italian Cuisine: Each plate celebrates authentic dishes from different regions—from Tuscan wild boar to Venetian cuttlefish, Lombard veal to Emilian guinea fowl
• Cultural Heritage: Beyond food, some plates honor Italian history and art—Leonardo da Vinci, Giuseppe Verdi, Marconi's experiments, and medieval traditions
• De Simone's Artistry: Originally hand-painted, then reproduced using traditional serigraphy (screen printing), showcasing his distinctive naïve folk art style
• Autostrada Nostalgia: Collectible keepsakes celebrating Italian travel culture, regional identity, and the romance of mid-century highway journeys

Highly Collectible Across Europe & the U.S.
Today, these plates are cherished pieces of mid-century Italian folk art, sought after by collectors of vintage Autogrill memorabilia, De Simone ceramics, and Italian cultural heritage. Each 25 cm (9.8 inch) plate is a unique piece of history, perfect for display as museum-quality wall art or as a conversation-starting addition to your Italian kitchen decor.

These were never restaurant plates—they were sold as collectible keepsakes celebrating Italian food, travel culture, and regional recipes.