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.
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
Fine 19th Century Italian Porcelain Parrot
By Capodimonte
Located in Norwood, NJ
Colorful and finely painted porcelain parrot in greens, yellows and blues, perched on realistic branch with leaves and berries. Bottom with crowned ...
Porcelain
Mid Century Modern Vintage Pink White Porcelain Pitcher Capodimonte Italy 1950s
By Capodimonte
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern vintage pitcher from porcelain in white and pink pastel color tones by the famed Italian porcelain manufacture Capodimonte 1950s Italy. The amazing porcelain pitc...
Porcelain
$1,036Sale Price|20% Off
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
Capodimonte Old English Sheepdog Hand-Painted Porcelain Figurine
By Capodimonte
Located in Bochum, NRW
Beautiful, old English sheepdog hand-painted porcelain figurine made by Capodimonte, Italy. Handmade and hand painted. Original manufacturer label/certificate. Measure: 30 cm (18,9 i...
Porcelain
$772Sale Price|44% Off
Capodimonte Porcelain Decorative Item by Carlo Mollica, Rococo Style, Italy
By Capodimonte
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1960s. This scene sculpted by Carlo Mollica recalls the mythological figures of Leda and the Swan (Zeus). It is made in polychromed porcel...
Porcelain
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
Vintage Capodimonte Ceramic Pitcher, Mid 20th Century
By Capodimonte
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Large elegant porcelain jug with the Capodimonte stamp — the letter N under the crown. The rich relief decor, made by hand, is typical of the Italian Capodimonte tradition. It is ide...
Ceramic
$658Sale Price / set|53% Off
Set of Six Capodimonte Porcelain Tea /Coffee Cups with Floral Motifs, Italy
By Capodimonte
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1950s. This set is made in Capodimonte porcelain and features hand painted floral motifs and golden edges. They are vintage therefore they might show slight traces of ...
Porcelain
$787Sale Price / set|20% Off
Capodimonte Baroque Coffee Set, Porcelain, Mid-20th Century, Italy
By Capodimonte
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Charming 20th Century Capodimonte Coffee Set A delightful set all fully marked beneath, Coffee Pot, Cream Jug, Sugar Jar and 6 Coffee Cans with Saucers T...
Porcelain
1930s Italian Capodimonte Signed Porcelain Centerpiece
By Capodimonte
Located in Roma, IT
1930s Italian Capodimonte Signed Porcelain Centerpiece A beautiful and rare centrepiece consisting of four elegant separate pieces. Each element has a curved shape that gives the who...
Porcelain
$592Sale Price|64% Off
Vintage Capodimonte Ceramic Decorative Item by Mollica, Rococo Style, Italy
By Capodimonte
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1960s. This group of 7 cherubs are made in Capodimonte lacquered ceramic by Mollica. This item might show slight traces of use since it's vintage, but it can be consid...
Ceramic
$778Sale Price|20% Off
Capodimonte Porcelain, Bronze and Gold Teapot Late 1800s
By Capodimonte
Located in Milano, MI
Capodimonte porcelain teapot, bronze and pure gold, made in the late 19th century Ø cm 23 Ø cm 14 h cm 30 Capodimonte porcelain is an excellence of Italian craftsmanship, with a ri...
Bronze
Antique Capodimonte Porcelain Table Snuff or Dresser Box
By Capodimonte
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine, antique Capodimonte porcelain table snuff box in the Meissen style. With a polychrome enamel Bacchanalian scene on the lid, neoclassical...
Porcelain
$440Sale Price|20% Off
Large Italian Capodimonte Porcelain Center Bowl, Cherubs Scene in Relief, 20thC
By Capodimonte
Located in Big Flats, NY
An oversized Italian Capodimonte center bowl offers cherub garden scenes in relief with gilt highlights throughout, 20th century Measures - 3.75''H X 16.75''W X 16.75''D. A finely cr...
Porcelain
Vintage Keramos Italian Capodimonte Cobalt Blue Porcelain Pitcher w/ Handle
By Capodimonte
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Keramos Italian Capodimonte Cobalt Blue Porcelain Pitcher w/ Handle. Item features purple painted flowers, brass reticulating handle, artist signature, original stamp. Circa...
Porcelain
Jewel Capodimonte porcelain walking stick, Italy 1880.
By Capodimonte
Located in Milan, IT
Walking stick: painted porcelain handle, Capodimonte manufacture, depicting a Cyprea shell, with three children's heads emerging from the cochlea of the shell. Silver band. Rattan wo...
Silver
$106Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Capodimonte Ceramic and Gold Decorative Item of a Reading Child, Italy
By Capodimonte
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1960s. This reading child is made in Capodimonte ceramic, which has been lacquered and hand-painted with pure gold. This item might ...
Gold
$3,700 / set
H 8.75 in W 5 in D 3.5 in
Bow Pair of Porcelain Figures of Liberty & Matrimony, Rococo 1760-1764
By Bow Porcelain
Located in London, GB
This is a fabulous pair of figures of Liberty and Matrimony made by the Bow Porcelain factory between 1760 and 1764. These figures were a popular pair portraying marriage. The bow p...
Porcelain
$895
H 8.63 in W 12.75 in D 6.13 in
Large Mid-Century Rosenthal Porcelain Figurine of a Rooster by J. Feldtmann
By Rosenthal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine mid-century Rosenthal porcelain figurine. In the form of a rooster. Designed by J. Feldtmann in the 1950s for Rosenthal. S...
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
$328
H 2.38 in W 3.5 in D 2.63 in
Fine Georgian period Minton Porcelain Coffee Can Pattern 641, Circa 1805
By Minton
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a finely painted porcelain coffee can made by the Minton factory, England, in the reign of George 111 in the early 19th century, circa 1805 Straight sided coffee cans wer...
Porcelain
$2,546Sale Price|20% Off
H 11.82 in W 13 in D 8.67 in
Porcelain Group, "The noble rococo game of chess", German Manufacturer
Located in Berlin, DE
Large, decorative porcelain group, "The noble game of chess". German porcelain manufacturer. Undamaged.
Porcelain
Large Art Deco Rosenthal Porcelain Figurine The Korean Dancer H566
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large porcelain figurine was manufactured by the Rosenthal Porcelain Factory and is entitled 'Korean Dancer' and made in circa 1927 in the period Art Deco style. This figurine was designed by the Austrian sculptor Constantin Holzer-Decanti who worked for the factory until 1927 and was inspired by the well known dancer, Anita Berber...
Porcelain
Augarten Vienna Porcelain Figurine Nude
By Augarten Porzellanmanufaktur
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Lovely porcelain figurine of a nude by the Augarten Porcelain Manufacture of Vienna, Austria. Marked with the company logo on the base. In excellent condition. Some museum wax and st...
Porcelain
$2,750
H 2.125 in Dm 17.75 in
19th Century French Creil & Montereau Hand Painted Aesthetic Movement Charger
By Creil et Montereau
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This outstanding hand painted 19th century French ceramic charger was made by Hautin Boulenger & Cie at Creil & Montereau. The highly detailed Aesthetic Movement charger features polychrome decoration depicting a Japanese quail perched in a flowering cherry tree bearing vivid green foliage. The bird's gaze is fixed on a colorful butterfly with intricately patterned wings which is located off to one side. The image is set on a gilt ground which bears a series of repeating raised gilt motifs. The charger's shoulder is finished in cobalt blue with stylized gilt hearts separated by light blue floral and foliate elements. The 4lb 11oz charger bears an impressed mark used by Creil et Montereau between 1876-1884. The foot rim is not pierced. This beautifully executed hand painted French charger...
Ceramic
$318
H 0.9 in Dm 8.5 in
Early 19th Century Plate Porcelain Finely Hand Painted, Staffordshire UK Ca 1825
By Staffordshire
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is an early 19th century porcelain Plate or desert dish with a molded wavy edge to the rim, made by one of the quality Staffordshire, English potteries and dating from the George 111rd period, circa 1820 to 1830. This piece is unmarked to the base but it is very well hand painted and we believe it is from one of the high quality English makers such as Coalport, Davenport or Samuel Alcock. Either way this piece is a beautifully hand decorated with a striking, bold and very colourful pattern. Overall a beautifully hand painted early English porcelain...
Porcelain
$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
$440Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.75 in W 16.75 in D 16.75 in
Large Italian Capodimonte Porcelain Center Bowl, Cherubs Scene in Relief, 20thC
By Capodimonte
Located in Big Flats, NY
An oversized Italian Capodimonte center bowl offers cherub garden scenes in relief with gilt highlights throughout, 20th century Measures - 3.75''H X 16.75''W X 16.75''D. A finely cr...
Porcelain
Antique Capodimonte Porcelain 215 Piece Dinner Service Napoleon "Au Roi de Rome"
By Capodimonte
Located in Portland, OR
An incredible & important antique 19th century Naples porcelain/Capodimonte 215 piece dinner & tea/coffee service, "Au Roi de Rome" (King of Rome). In perfect condition! This extraor...
Porcelain
Sold
H 5.5 in W 6 in D 6 in
1950s Italian Capodimonte Blush Pink Roses Porcelain Floral Arrangement Topiary
By Capodimonte
Located in Pearland, TX
A beautiful petite Italian Capodimonte porcelain floral arrangement topiary, circa 1950. Marked "Capodimonte Made in Italy." It depicts a bouquet of lovely soft pink roses accented b...
Porcelain
Italian Large Capodimonte Hand Painted Camel Porcelain, 1950s
By Capodimonte
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Stunning rare large Capodimonte hand painted porcelain sculpture. Capodimonte porcelain is a type of Italian porcelain that originated in Naples in the mid-18th century. It is known...
Porcelain
Italian Porcelain Musician Angel by Capodimonte
By Capodimonte
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful musician angel in fine porcelain by Capodimonte, circa 1980s. White color with golden details. Refined collectible ornament. Brand present at the base.
Porcelain
Italian Hand Painted Porcelain Branch of Flowers by Capodimonte
By Capodimonte
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful branch of flowers in fine hand-painted porcelain by Capodimonte, circa 1990s. Brand present at the base.
Porcelain
Italian Porcelain Set of 2 Figurines by Capodimonte
By Capodimonte
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful set of 2 italian fine porcelain hand painting figurines by Capodimonte, circa 1990s. Brand present at the base. Two small defects, one of the boy's fingers and the girl's h...
Porcelain
wonderful Capodimonte porcelain from the early 1900s
By Capodimonte
Located in Vigevano, PV
wonderful Capodimonte porcelain from the early 1900s… depiction of a mythological scene with details in pure gold in perfect condition…
Porcelain
Sold
H 9.5 in W 9 in D 6.15 in
Antique Italian Porcelain Capodimonte Porcelain Lion Handle Pitcher Jug, 1880
By Capodimonte
Located in Portland, OR
An unusual antique Italian porcelain pitcher jug in the Neoclassical style, Capodimonte, Circa 1880. The jug modelled with a fabulous lion ha...
Porcelain
Mid 20th Century Italian Capodimonti Tureen
By Capodimonte
Located in Lambertville, NJ
An unusual stork motif Italian hand gilt and decorated porcelain tureen. In the manner of Capodimonte, with gold decorated body with hand colored applied flowers all over. 20 inche...
Porcelain
20th Century Italian Rare Porcelain Table Lamp by Capodimonte
By Capodimonte
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful sculptural table lamp in refined italian Capodimonte porcelain. The lampshade is a masterpiece with multicolored roses and beautiful lithophane (transparent porcelain) scen...
Porcelain
19th Century Italian Antique Porcelain Sculpture by Capodimonte
By Capodimonte
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful sculptural group in refined Capodimonte porcelain. A young mother walks with her little girls accompanied by a tender fawn. Please note the sweetness expressed by this rare...
Porcelain
19th Century Italian Antique Porcelain Sculpture by Capodimonte
By Capodimonte
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful pair of statues in refined Capodimonte porcelain. Two young girls dancing. Characterized by elegant eighteenth-century dresses with full lace skirts completely made in porc...
Porcelain