![]() “It’s the quality of the cast and the decoration that influence value.” Look for attention to detail in the painting, he adds, such as edges that are “crisp and well defined.”Ĭapodimonte is an acquired taste. The value of these later 19th- and 20th-century pieces is determined by the quality, not the mark.Ĭapodimonte porcelain plaque depicting a water nymph, late 19th century, offered by David Sterner Antiques When secondary manufacturers began production, they retained this mark, in multiple variations. ![]() Pieces from Ferdinand’s were stamped with a Neapolitan N topped by a crown. 1920, offered by Biscaye Frèresīeginning in the mid-18th century, porcelain made by Charles’s factory was stamped with a fleur-de-lis, usually in underglaze blue. The Napoleonic wars interrupted production, and around 1807, oversight of the royal factories was transferred to a franchisee named Giovanni Poulard-Prad.Īssessing the Value The factory mark on a Capodimonte porcelain box, ca. Twelve years later, his son Ferdinand IV, who inherited the throne of Naples, built a new factory there that became known for distinctly rococo designs. He moved the manufactory with him - including 40 workers and 4 tons of clay - and continued operations in Madrid. In 1759, Charles succeeded to the throne of Spain. Capodimonte porcelain table snuff box, early 20th century, offered by David Sterner Antiques His earliest successes were small white snuffboxes and vases, although efforts soon progressed to full sets of tableware, decorative objects and stylized figurines of peasants and theatrical personalities. He hired chemists and artisans to experiment. He financed expeditions to search for the right clay. Struck by porcelain fever, Charles built a dedicated facility on top of a hill ( capo di monte) overlooking Naples. Her dowry included 17 Meissen table services. His new bride was the granddaughter of Augustus the Strong, Elector of Saxony and founder of Meissen, the first European hard-paste porcelain manufactory. The Story of Capodimonte Capodimonte porcelain five-light chandelier, mid-20th century, offered by FlowermountainĬharles VII began experimenting with porcelain around 1738, the year he married Maria Amalia of Saxony. From beginning to end, its manufacture lasted approximately 75 years. That’s because the timeline of royal Capodimonte porcelain is decidedly brief. A lot of it is in museums or private collections.” “The real deal,” says David Sterner, of David Sterner Antiques, in Philadelphia, “the fantastic stuff that’s over-the-top beautiful, is nearly nonexistent on the market. Although secondary manufacturers have built upon the aesthetic and kept the name alive, some connoisseurs of the royal product feel these pieces should be labeled “in the style of” Capodimonte. The Real Fabbrica (“royal factory”) di Capodimonte, however, hasn’t produced porcelain since the early 19th century, when Charles’s son Ferdinand sold it. If success is measured by lasting name recognition, Capodimonte would seem to be in the same league as such makers as Meissen, Sèvres and Wedgwood. Pair of Italian Capodimonte painted porcelain plaques, 19th century, offered by Mayfair Gallery Surely, Charles would not want to be outdone by the French. Madame de Pompadour, chief mistress of Louis XV of France, is said to have commissioned Sèvres to create an entire indoor garden of porcelain botanicals. And several leading courts of Europe had begun developing their own porcelain. Or did the perfect blossoms result from royal competition? After all, by the 18th century, China’s long-held monopoly on (ahem) china had finally been broken. Why? Was it because King Charles VII of Naples, who founded the manufactory in 1743, was allergic to the blossoms growing in his garden and wanted a hypoallergenic version? Pair of porcelain Capodimonte putti figures, mid-20th century, offered by FlowermountainĮlaborate flowers are synonymous with Capodimonte porcelain.
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