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
$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
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
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
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
$711Sale Price / set|20% 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
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
$635Sale Price|20% 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
$834Sale Price|20% 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
$227Sale Price|20% Off
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
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
$782Sale 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
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
$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
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
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
$113Sale Price|20% 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
$379 / set
H 3.94 in W 0.4 in D 0.79 in
Golden Plated Hand Tea Spoon Set of Two Handcrafted Natalia Criado
By Natalia Criado
Located in Milan, IT
Add an element of elegance and playfulness to your dinner table with our hand tea spoon. Handcrafted from metal and plated brass, its distinguishing feature is the anthropomorphic ha...
Metal, Gold Plate
Large Vintage Italian Capodimonte Porcelain Box
By Capodimonte
Located in Houston, TX
Large vintage Italian Capodimonte Porcelain box. Stunning large vintage Italian Capodimonte porcelain box. This lovely...
Porcelain
$237Sale Price|20% 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
Ornate Antique Sterling Silver Pink Porcelain Vanity Powder Jar Trinket Box
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Gorgeous trinket box or powder jar featuring an ornate scroll and lattice design sterling silver overlay over a pretty pink porcelain. The mark on the bottom is not legible.
Sterling Silver
Set of Six Bird Coffee Cup Trios
By Flight, Barr & Barr Worcester
Located in New York, NY
Set of six bird coffee cup trios. Strikingly modern looking antique set of six FB&B Worcester trios of six teacups and six coffee can with six saucers ...
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
Mid-Century Modern Hand-Painted Ceramic Vase by Roberto Rigon, Italy
By Roberto Rigon
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Stunning hand painted ceramic by Roberto Rigon 1970. Probably made for olive oil or vinegar to use on the Italians dinner tables of the period.
Ceramic
$1,660
H 5.91 in W 4.34 in D 2.76 in
Age Art Deco Porcelain Figurine from Hungarian Porcelain Hollóháza
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Age Art Deco porcelain figurine from Hungarian porcelain Hollóháza About Holloaza Hollohaza porcelain is one of the oldest porcelain manufactory ...
Porcelain
$1,250 / set
H 12.5 in W 11 in D 5.5 in
Fabergé Porcelain Tea, Coffee Cups Set of Four in a Velvet Case
By Modern Fabergé
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Fine porcelain set of four Fabergé original porcelain coffee or tea cups, service for four. Enjoy the start to your day with the classical sophistication only from Faberge. These s...
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
Richard Ginori Italian Porcelain Espresso Coffee Tea Cup Saucer
By Richard Ginori
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful vintage Italian porcelain espresso coffee or tea demitasse cup and saucer 'Toscana' by designer Richard Ginori, circa mid-20th century, ...
Ceramic, 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