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Capodimonte

Italian

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. Early examples of 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 on 1stDibs.

Late 18th Century traveling couple figurine by Capodimonete 1771 - 1834
By Capodimonte
Located in Lisbon, PT
A charming translucent soft-paste porcelain figurine of a traveling couple with suitcases, a delicate piece in excellent condition. The woman wearing a clover etched jacket. Capodim...
Category

18th Century French Baroque Antique Capodimonte

Materials

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.
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Capodimonte

Materials

Porcelain

Delicate And Fresh Lemons, Porcelain Wall Decor By Capodimonte L'Atelier, Italy
By Capodimonte
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Petite trio of bright citron yellow lemons by Capodimonte L'Atelier, Italy Fragile and delicately created Italian porcelain decor Circa 1970's Signed C...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Capodimonte

Materials

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 ...
Category

1990s Italian Capodimonte

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Porcelain Capodimonte Trinket Box with Flower Detail
By Capodimonte
Located in East Quogue, NY
Exquisite vintage white Capodimonte square porcelain trinket box with floral detail lid. Simple and elegant, the box lid is adorned with sculpted white flowers with painted 24k Gold ...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Modern Capodimonte

Materials

Ceramic, 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...
Category

1990s Italian Capodimonte

Materials

Porcelain

1900s Set of Two Neoclassical White and Gold Capodimonte Porcelain Table Lamps
By Capodimonte
Located in Catania, Sicilia
A pair of Capodimonte ceramic table lamps made in Napoli in the early 20th Century, they look like as neoclassical candleholders, are decorated in pure gold. they don't have lampshades.
Category

Early 1900s Italian Neoclassical Antique Capodimonte

Materials

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Capodimonte

Materials

Porcelain, Wood

Capodimonte Pharaoh Tutankhamon in Porcelain
Capodimonte Pharaoh Tutankhamon in Porcelain
H 16.93 in W 12.6 in D 8.67 in
Browse all Furniture from Capodimonte
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Creators Similar to Capodimonte

Capodimonte furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Capodimonte furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of ceramic and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Capodimonte furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Capodimonte were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Bruno Gambone, Livio Seguso, and Dino Martens. Prices for Capodimonte furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $80 and can go as high as $34,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,294.
Questions About Capodimonte
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024
    Capodimonte's style is regal and opulent, though it has varied over the years. Early pieces from the celebrated Italian porcelain manufacturer often reflect Rococo design sensibilities, with organic motifs rendered in soft colors. As trends changed, so did the look of Capodimonte porcelain, which skewed Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco over the years that followed. Capodiomonte has also looked beyond its native Italy for inspiration, producing porcelain ware that reflects Japanese and ancient Roman decorative techniques. Shop a wide range of Capdodimonte porcelain on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024
    Yes, Capodimonte pieces may be worth money. Early examples of 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 and are sought by collectors. The value of a particular item depends on its style, age and condition, as well as supply and demand in the marketplace. To get a better estimate of the value of your piece, consult a certified appraiser or knowledgeable dealer. Explore a wide range of Capodimonte decorative objects on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 13, 2024
    To identify rare Capodimonte marks, use trusted online resources as a guide. Generally, the oldest pieces produced by the Italian maker during the mid-18th century are the rarest. During this period, Capodimonte typically used only its original blue fleur-de-lis logo as a mark. On reputable websites, you can find images of this mark and others used by the porcelain manufacturer over the years. If you need assistance identifying a particular piece, enlist the help of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer. Explore a range of Capodimonte porcelain ware on 1stDibs.

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