Known for his prolific mid-century works, Italian artist Bruno Gambone is regarded as one of the most influential figures in ceramics. Born in 1936 in Vietri sul Mare, Gambone was introduced to the world of ceramics at the age of 14 while he worked in the Florence studio of his father, renowned ceramist Guido Gambone.
Toward the end of the 1950s, Gambone left his father’s studio to work at Italian artist Andrea D’Arienzo’s workshop, where he explored other disciplines such as canvas painting and textile decoration. He became committed to painting and exhibited at Florence’s La Strozzina in 1959.
In 1963, Gambone left Italy for the United States. He lived in New York City during a fertile era for creative expression — a time marked by pivotal artistic movements such as Pop art and Abstract Expressionism. Gambone made numerous friends and moved in the same circles as iconic American artists Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and Robert Rauschenberg. The Italian native learned more about a range of fields such as sculpture and theater. However, after five years, he returned to his homeland to live in Milan.
While in Milan, Gambone experimented with jewelry design for a brief period. But following his father’s death in 1969, Gambone returned to Florence to run his father’s studio, shifting his attention back toward ceramics.
Throughout the 1970s, Gambone created table lamps, vases, bowls and sculptures, including a series of ceramic animals. He began work in 1972 on what would become his celebrated “Fantastic Animals” series — initially a minimalist collection of stoneware fish, lions, snakes and other creatures characterized by sharp-edged geometric forms.
Gambone showcased his ceramic works at the 1972 Venice Biennale and the Milan Triennale in 1973. The artist received awards from the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Museum of Contemporary Art of San Diego at La Jolla and other institutions.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage Bruno Gambone decorative objects, serveware and lighting.
Ceramic Sculpture with Steel Base by Bruno Gambone, Italy, c. 1990
By Bruno Gambone
Located in New York City, NY
Figurative glazed ceramic sculpture with new steel base by Bruno Gambone, Italy, c. 1990
Bronze
Ceramic Sculpture with Steel Base by Bruno Gambone, Italy, c. 1990
By Bruno Gambone
Located in New York City, NY
Figurative glazed ceramic sculpture with steel base by Bruno Gambone, Italy, c. 1990.
Steel
Italian Ceramic Elephant Sculpture by Bruno Gambone, circa 1970s
By Bruno Gambone
Located in London, GB
Ceramic Indian motif white elephant by Bruno Gambone (circa 1970s). This is an absolutely charming ceramic white elephant with an Indian-style blanket and headdress, large whimsical ...
Ceramic
$3,511Sale Price|20% Off
H 18.12 in W 7.88 in D 1.97 in
Vintage Italian Ceramic Decorative Bottle by Bruno Gambone (circa 1990s) - Large
By Bruno Gambone
Located in London, GB
Italian ceramic decorative bottle by Bruno Gambone (circa 1990s). This sculptural work consists of a rectangular body with soft, curvy shoulders leading to a graceful, elongated neck...
Stoneware
Bruno Gambone Stoneware Bull Set of 4
By Bruno Gambone
Located in Munich, DE
Cream white glazed ceramic bull made by Bruno Gambone in the 1970s, signed Gambone on the bottom.
Stoneware
Bruno Gambone Stoneware or Ceramic Vase, Italy, 1970s
By Bruno Gambone
Located in New York, NY
Bruno Gambone tall stoneware or ceramic vase or bottle in dark brown and matte off-white glaze with incised line around upper area below the bottle neck, Italy, 1970s. Marked with gl...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Painted Ceramic Pitcher Vase by Bruno Gambone 1970s
By Bruno Gambone
Located in Milano, MI
Hand-painted ceramic pitcher, made by Bruno Gambone in the 1970s Ø cm 20 h cm 17 Bruno Gambone (1936-2021) was an influential Italian ceramicist and artist, widely recognized for h...
Ceramic
Bruno Gambone Stoneware Horse Set of 2
By Bruno Gambone
Located in Munich, DE
Cream white glazed ceramic horses made by Bruno Gambone in the 1970s, signed Gambone on the bottom. Wonderful set in excellent condition. Only two available, the one in the middle on...
Stoneware
$6,035Sale Price|20% Off
H 13.39 in W 11.42 in D 3.94 in
Vintage Ceramic Horse by Bruno Gambone (circa 1970s) - Large
By Bruno Gambone
Located in London, GB
Vintage ceramic horse by Bruno Gambone, (circa 1970s). A charming, sizeable ceramic parade horse with groomed mane and tail in Gambone's signature chalk-white glaze. Light brown figu...
Ceramic
Ceramic Bull Sculpture attributed to Bruno Gambone, 1980s
By Bruno Gambone
Located in Antwerp, BE
A graphic stylistic impression of a beautiful sculptural bull animal figure, a collector's item for your interior attributed to Bruno Gambon made in Italy 1980s, molded in white clay...
Ceramic
$2,189Sale Price|24% Off
H 12.01 in W 4.73 in D 4.73 in
Vintage Italian Ceramic Vase by Bruno Gambone (circa 1980s)
By Bruno Gambone
Located in London, GB
Ceramic Italian decorative vase by Bruno Gambone (circa 1980s). A sensuous bottle-shaped piece featuring an oatmeal-hued, wide base narrows upwards towards a dark chocolate brown elo...
Ceramic
Bruno Gambone Stoneware Abstract Sculpture Cat II
By Bruno Gambone
Located in Munich, DE
Cream white glazed ceramic cat made by Bruno Gambone in the 1970s, signed Gambone Italy on the bottom.
Stoneware
Bruno Gambone Stoneware Horse Raw 1975
By Bruno Gambone
Located in Munich, DE
Raw glazed ceramic horse made by Bruno Gambone from 1975, signed Gambone on the bottom. Very rare in the raw version.
Stoneware
Bruno Gambone Stoneware Abstract Sculpture Cat I
By Bruno Gambone
Located in Munich, DE
Cream white glazed ceramic cat made by Bruno Gambone in the 1970s, signed Gambone Italy on the bottom.
Stoneware
$12,071
H 26.78 in W 4.34 in D 3.55 in
Italian Cylindrical Ceramic Vase by Bruno Gambone, circa 1970s, Large
By Bruno Gambone
Located in London, GB
Stunningly tall cylindrical ceramic vase with single, amphora-style handle and Eastern motif on an elegant beige earthenware surface, by Bruno Gambone (circa 1970s). This substantial...
Ceramic
Bruno Gambone Ceramic Bulls, a Pair
By Bruno Gambone
Located in Greensboro, NC
A sublime pair of signed Bruno Gambone Bull sculptures in matte cream and brown glaze. Dimensions of sm bull: 4.5h x 6.5"d x 2.75"w Dimensions of lg bull...
Ceramic
Ceramic Horse Sculpture by Bruno Gambone 'circa 1980s'
By Bruno Gambone
Located in London, GB
Ceramic two-toned horse by ceramicist Bruno Gambone, (circa 1980s). A charming ceramic parade horse with groomed mane and tail in Gambone's signature chalk-white glaze. That glaze is beautifully complemented by chocolate-brown markings on the horse's side and face. Extremely desirable and very collectible, this earthenware piece would be an elegant and stylish addition to your home or office. In good overall condition with a nearly invisible restoration on one of the legs. Signed: 'Gambone'. Upon request a video may be provided. About the Artist: The Gambone ceramics have had two very distinct phases of artistic expression in their history. That of Guido Gambone (1909-1969), arguably Italy's most prominent contemporary ceramicist of the 1950s and '60s, and that of his son, Bruno Gambone (1936-2021), who passed away in December of 2021 in Florence, Italy. The father's work was more exuberant and colourful. Bruno, who returned to Florence in 1969 to keep the ceramic studio running after his father died, became intent on expressing his own very different artistic vision. For the most part, his work was influenced by '60s and '70s minimalist...
Ceramic
Ceramic Decorative Bull by Bruno Gambone, circa 1970s
By Bruno Gambone
Located in London, GB
Ceramic decorative bull by Bruno Gambone, circa 1970s. This is a piece from Gambone's series of chalk-white ceramic animal sculptures. A charging...
Ceramic
Sold
H 9.06 in W 4.73 in D 12.21 in
Decorative Ceramic Bull with Blue Glaze by Bruno Gambone (circa 1980s)
By Bruno Gambone
Located in London, GB
Ceramic decorative bull by Bruno Gambone, (circa 1980s). This is a significant piece from Gambone's series of chalk-white ceramic animal sculptur...
Ceramic
Bruno Gambone Art Pottery Knight Sculpture, 1980s
By Bruno Gambone
Located in Munich, DE
Huge version of Bruno Gambone knight ceramic sculpture bought directly from the Artist in 1980s, signed Gambone, Italy. Measures: 41 H x 26 B x 15 D cm.
Stoneware
Sold
H 4.53 in W 5.91 in D 2.56 in
Ceramic Decorative Bull Sculpture by Bruno Gambone, Italy, circa 1970s
By Bruno Gambone
Located in London, GB
Ceramic decorative bull by Bruno Gambone, circa 1970s. This is a piece from Gambone's series of chalk-white ceramic animal sculptures. A charging...
Ceramic
Set of Two Ceramic Horses by Bruno Gambone, Italy, circa 1970s
By Bruno Gambone
Located in London, GB
Set of two ceramic horses by Bruno Gambone, circa 1970s. Untamed, free and strapping, these two ceramic horses were created in Gambone's signature chalk-white glaze - one with the ad...
Ceramic
Ceramic Elephant Sculpture by Bruno Gambone, circa 1970s, Italy
By Bruno Gambone
Located in London, GB
Ceramic Indian motif white elephant by Bruno Gambone (circa 1970s). This is an uplifting ceramic white elephant with an Indian-style blanket and headdress, large whimsical ears and t...
Ceramic
Ceramic Lion Sculpture by Bruno Gambone, circa 1970s
By Bruno Gambone
Located in London, GB
'Ceramic Lion Sculpture', by ceramicist Bruno Gambone, (circa 1970s). This large seated lion sculpture is truly a work of art. It is whimsical, yet beautiful in its use of the pared-...
Ceramic