If success is measured by lasting name recognition, Capodimonte porcelain would seem to be in the same league as such makers as Meissen, Sèvres and Wedgwood. Early examples of Capodimonte lamps — as well as the Italian manufacturer’s celebrated porcelain vases, figurines and sculptures — can be hard to come by, but the best later pieces possess the same over-the-top charm.
The Real Fabbrica (“royal factory”) di Capodimonte hasn’t actually produced porcelain since the early 19th century, when Charles’s son Ferdinand sold it. 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 timeline of royal Capodimonte porcelain is decidedly brief. From beginning to end, its manufacture lasted approximately 75 years. King Charles VII of Naples, who founded the manufactory in 1743, began experimenting with porcelain around 1738, the year he married Maria Amalia of Saxony. No coincidence there. His new bride was the granddaughter of Augustus the Strong, Elector of Saxony and founder of Meissen, the first European hard-paste porcelain manufactory. Her dowry included 17 Meissen table services.
Struck by porcelain fever, Charles built a dedicated facility on top of a hill (capo di monte) overlooking Naples. He financed expeditions to search for the right clay. He hired chemists and artisans to experiment. 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.
In 1759, Charles succeeded to the throne of Spain. He moved the manufactory with him — including 40 workers and 4 tons of clay — and continued operations in Madrid. 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.
The Napoleonic wars interrupted production, and around 1807, oversight of the royal factories was transferred to a franchisee named Giovanni Poulard-Prad.
Beginning in the mid-18th century, porcelain made by Charles’s factory was stamped with a fleur-de-lis, usually in underglaze blue. Pieces from Ferdinand’s were stamped with a Neapolitan N topped by a crown. When secondary manufacturers began production, they retained this mark, in multiple variations. The value of these later 19th- and 20th-century pieces is determined by the quality, not the Capodimonte porcelain marks.
Find antique and vintage Capodimonte porcelain for sale on 1stDibs.
$1,029Sale Price|20% Off
Bruno Merli Capodimonte
By Bruno Merli, Richard Ginori, Capodimonte, Giuseppe Armani
Located in Lugo, IT
Ceramics produced by Bruno Merli Capodimonte. Crack present and glued almost in the center on the boy's side. If you wish it is restored 50 euros Thank you
Ceramic
$3,930Sale Price|20% Off
Erminia among the shepherds. Naples, Capodimonte Manufacture 19th century
By Capodimonte
Located in Milano, IT
White glazed ceramic depicting Erminia among shepherds. Erminia is shown from the side, standing with her robe in the wind, helmet under her arm, and shield at her feet; she is stret...
Ceramic
Pair of 20th Century Italian Hand-Painted Porcelain Capodimonte Wall Platters
By Capodimonte
Located in Dallas, TX
This beautiful pair of majolica wall plates would elevate any living room, kitchen, or dining room wall. Created in Italy circa 1980 and done in the Capodimonte style with high relief, each barbotine...
Majolica, Porcelain
$1,036Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.5 in W 4.5 in D 3.25 in
Art Deco Figurine of 'Mata Hari' by Capodimonte / Naples Porcelain Company
By Capodimonte
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Art Deco Figurine of 'Mata Hari' by Capodimonte / Naples Porcelain Company Italy, circa 1925 An exceptional work, displaying grace and movement, subtly hand- painted. The seductive turban and gold earring wearing dancer draped in a White and Iron-Red Moon and Star motif garment, on a tasseled pillow. Hence our Mata Hari, attribution/suggestion. The name Mata Hari, is a Malay expression for the sun. Literally meaning “eye of the day"/ dawn of the day' This exquisite figure, depicts the The dancer (Mata Hari ?) as the sun-wearing the moon and stars. Marked with the variation Blue underglaze Crown & N. In remarkable well cared for condition, some minor wear to the gilt. The figurine stands...
Porcelain
$219Sale Price|46% Off
H 6.89 in W 5.91 in D 3.55 in
Vintage Capodimonte Porcelain Decorative Item by Ginori, Rococo Style, Italy
By Richard Ginori
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1960s. These two 18th century figures are made in Capodimonte porcelain. This statue might show slight traces of use since it's vintage, but it can be considered as in...
Porcelain
Capodimonte Pharaoh Tutankhamon in Porcelain
By Capodimonte
Located in Antwerp, BE
Great sculpture representing Pharaoh TutanKhamon in Capodimonte Italia porcelain decorated and designed by Mario Pegorami is one of the most important artists representing the ancien...
Porcelain, Wood
$108Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 3 in W 1 in D 1.25 in
Capodimonte Glazed White Parian Porcelain Cherubs
By Capodimonte
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a pair of Capodimonte glazed white Parian porcelain nude cherubs who are playing with some gilt round small balls. Both of them are standing n...
Porcelain
$2,250 / set
H 4.25 in W 30 in D 4.5 in
Vintage Capodimonte Military Porcelain Sculpture Set with Tiered Display Stand
By Capodimonte
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This set of eight porcelain figurines was made by the Capodimonte factor of Italy in circa 1980 in the Renaissance style. Seven of the figurines depict famous military figures and ar...
Porcelain, Mahogany
$4,519
H 21.6 in W 10.6 in D 15.7 in
Vintage Animal Figure Figural Group Italian Ceramic XL Roosters Porcelain
By Capodimonte, Guido Cacciapuoti, Giuseppe Armani
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Art Deco mid Century Italian porcelain 2 roosters on a tree trunk Material: Porcelain, Ceramic, Tin glazed Design: In the manner of Cacciapuoti Origin: Italy, first half 20th century...
Ceramic, Majolica, Porcelain
Original ceramic sculpture Artist by Capodimonte, Italy 1970s
By Capodimonte
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Vintage ceramic sculpture "Artist" by Capodimonte made in Italy in the 1970s. The sculpture has the original manufacturer's label and signature of the master. The vintage sculpture ...
Ceramic
Italian Hand Painted Porcelain Vase by Capodimonte
By Capodimonte
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Italian hand painted porcelain biscuit vase, circa 1990s. Characterized by a classic line with floral decorations. Italian manufacturing brand imprinted ...
Porcelain
$3,800
H 14 in W 15.5 in D 11.5 in
Fine 19th Century Porcelain Capodimonte Group of Cherubs and a Goat
By Capodimonte
Located in Dallas, TX
This bright Capodimonte porcelain group of four putti and a goat symbolizes abundance and the spirit of life. Capodimonte was originally an 18th century Italian porcelain...
Porcelain
$539Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.88 in W 5.91 in D 4.73 in
Capodimonte Porcelain Figure Of Couple Playing Lute, Early 20th Century
By Capodimonte
Located in Lisbon, PT
A Neapolitan Capodimonte porcelain in the Baroque style depicting a french salon scene, a woman seated in an armchair playing the lute and a male admirer trying to impress her, marke...
Porcelain
$994
H 12.21 in W 9.85 in D 5.91 in
Capodimonte, Enamelled Porcelain Group, Putti with Flowers After Badessi
By Capodimonte
Located in BARSAC, FR
Capodimonte factory in Italy near Naples. Enamelled porcelain group presenting three putti playing with sheaves of rosebuds, one of them carrying a basket on his head. Signed L...
Porcelain
$3,263 / set
H 17.72 in W 7.49 in D 6.7 in
Pair of 19th Century Capodimonte Porcelain Urns Vazes with Mythological Reliefs
By Capodimonte
Located in Antwerp, BE
Pair of 19th Century Capodimonte Porcelain Urns with Mythological Reliefs A striking pair of monumental 19th century Capodimonte porcelain vases, richly decorated with mythological ...
Porcelain