Capodimonte - The Best Or the Worst?

!9# Capodimonte - The Best Or the Worst?

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The original porcelain company in the Capo di Monte area of Italy was established in 1743 by Charles of Bourbon. He was then king of Naples and was trying to replicate the burgeoning success of the Meissen Porcelain Company in Saxony, now Germany, and of the Sevres porcelain company in France.

The secret of hard porcelain had been closely held by the Chinese and Japanese for centuries. Porcelain wares reached Europe by way of the Silk Road, and then through the hands of successive sea powers. Due to the transportation costs and losses during the trip, the porcelain was so expensive by the time it reached Europe that only the rich and powerful could afford it. However, various European scientists and chemists worked to discover the secret. Businesses appeared and had varying degrees of success throughout Europe. Each time, the secrets of the clay and glaze were kept secret, so each new attempt had to start from scratch to discover the right clay body, glazes and firing procedures to made the highly desirable hard paste porcelain.

Many of the efforts to establish porcelain factories were sponsored or financed by royalty. The company that succeeded would repay its financier in both porcelain products to use at court and to give as gifts as well as returning cash. There was now chance of any one European company producing enough porcelain to flood the market, so each try at starting a porcelain manufacturing company was worth the risk.

Charles of Bourbon's factory produced fine dinnerware and ornaments for 64 years before economics forced its closure. A second porcelain company founded under the royal patronage of Ferdinand IV existed from 1771 to 1806. This factory used a trade mark of a crown over a capital N in blue glaze. Capodimonte refers to the region of Italy where the porcelain factories were located, Capo di Monte, which translates as head of the mountain. Other factories have come and gone since, in the same area, producing similar wares and using variations on the crown mark. Therefore there are over 200 years of porcelain products with the "Capodimonte" name, some better than others, and only an expert can tell the source of most of them.

Because of this constantly changing landscape of makers and the large number of pieces, marked and unmarked, the term "Capodimonte" has some to be a style rather than a specific maker. Capodimonte is recognized by the flowers, lace, ribbons and cherubs that so frequently adorn it. Roses, fully open and buds, in several colors are a regular feature of Capodimonte porcelain. Each petal is formed by hand and placed on the base piece. Others are placed next to the first, and are colored with medium strength glazes, giving the flowers good color against the white body after firing. Sometimes, whole areas may be covered by roses, as in a chair with a seat full of roses. Human figurines are frequently shown in 18th and 19th century costumes, especially those that include lace. The lace parts of costumes are made by using real lace dipped in slip. When the piece is fired, the lace burns away, but the lace form and shape is retained in the porcelain. Cherubs (putti) also appear on these pieces, as do types of fruit. Eventually, the flowers grew larger and became the porcelain figurine, so Capodimonte also includes botanical representations of many types of roses and other flowers, like lilies, iris and poinsettias. These flowers are closer to life-size, and the figurine may include butterflies or small birds.

And, to come full circle, porelain pieces in the Capodimonte style are now being produced in China, and have given rise to a new classification in porcelain: Chinese Capodimonte. So, when you see candlelabra and compotes with flowers and putti, and Capodimonte comes to mind, remember that the quality of the piece must speak for itself, and the actual place of manufacture may be Italy, or nearly anywhere in the world. If you are going to collect a specific manufacturer or period of Capodimonte, you will have to rely on expert opinion until you become an expert yourself. Choose a place to start and see where your collecting takes you. At least you can probabl;y get a trip to Naples out of it.

Capodimonte - The Best Or the Worst?

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Capodimonte Lamps and Victorian Interior Design

!9# Capodimonte Lamps and Victorian Interior Design

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With the help of Victorian interior design, capodimonte lamps and other design features, you can transform your home. This look is unique and it offers something very special to any area. If you know the look, the picture of a 1800's lady with clothing from that period and an umbrella stepping graciously onto a rowing boat, then you know just how to create this look in your home. As a popular choice in New England region, it can work in any area of the country that you see fit. There are several ways you can create this.

A Trip Back

Learning a bit more about Victorian interior design can be important. The design is that of Queen Victoria who reigned in England from 1837 to 1901. Her lifetime was remembered very fondly and therefore, the various elements that symbolized that time were carried forth. It was a time of innovation and the industrial revolution, and a time when fortunes were being made.

The architecture of this time was very unique, but at the same time very grand. This is what helped to foster in those times and create a unique look and feel to the location. Today, the look of that time period is carried on in the Victorian interior design that is heavily used and often represents something truly historical.

Wallpaper

While you may be thinking about Capodimonte lamps and whimsical designs, one thing that was readily found during this time frame is that of wallpaper. It has been used for centuries and continuously offers a unique design that is awe inspiring. Many times, wallpaper was seen as a way to show that people were well off.

Because of this status symbol, the Victorian interior design style often included it. If you want to recreate this look, then you should considering adding wallpaper to your plans for the home. For those that do not want to invest in wallpaper, you may be able to go with another look, or use Victorian styled furniture to complete the look.

For the floors in this timeframe, look for good looking hardwood floors. They can feature throw rugs on them. You will not want wall to wall carpeting. Add some circular picture frames, a few Capodimonte lamps and you will be well on your way to creating a unique look that is perfectly Victorian interior design. Decorating a room in this 1800's style can be challenging and rewarding.

Capodimonte Lamps and Victorian Interior Design

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<em>"Capodimonte-baby" Collection</em> blue rocking horse favors

!9# "Capodimonte-baby" Collection blue rocking horse favors

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Hold your horses! These "Capodimonte-baby" Collection blue rocking horse favors are not to be missed
First produced in Naples, Italy in the mid 1700s, the Capodimonte name has become synonymous with the finest quality porcelain and ceramics - treasured throughout history and today by royalty, collectors and all. An exceptional choice as baby shower or Christening favors for a baby boy, these "Capodimonte-baby" Collection rocking horses measure 2.75" x 3.25" and feature a stunning ceramic white and blue bisque finish with an intricate basket weave design on the saddle and two blue roses with green leaves accenting the horse's mane - giving the piece a delicate look. Proudly offered exclusively by Fashioncraft, each comes beautifully packaged in a signature "Capodimonte-baby" Collection two piece textured blue box, tied with a blue satin ribbon and an attached "For You" tag that has a Certificate of Authenticity of "Capodimonte-baby" on the opposite side.

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Capodimonte Lamp History

!9# Capodimonte Lamp History

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My brother in law Carlo, frequently says that all things good originate in Italy (ha!). He may have a right to feel that way since he was born and raised on a farm near Rimini, Italy. I agree with him on at least one point and that is the unparalleled beauty of genuine antique Italian Capodimonte porcelain lamps.

Capodimonte is the finest grade of Italian porcelain that rivals any of the finest porcelains that are produced. Themes range from simple nature and garden designs to downright outrageous. I say the more outrageous the better ! This is just one quality that makes Capodimonte so unique. Whenever I look at these beautiful old pieces I cannot help but think of how these designers shrugged off convention to develop this unusual and outstanding style. You either love it or you hate it but the identity and the design is usually unmistakable.

The more ornately designed Capodimonte lamps may be adorned with 3 dimensional cherubs, angels, nudes, animals, serpents, people and vegetation. Occasionally the 3 dimensional figures are completely raised away from the main body of the porcelain creating an open space. These styles are highly sought after by collectors. Porcelain colors can be unusually vibrant and very bold. The finer quality Capodimonte pieces contain many subtle details in the artwork and in the hand painting. The 18th century master sculptor Tagliolini exemplifies the finer qualities found in many of the Capodimonte styles.

Translation: Capodimonte: Italian: capo di monte, English: head of the mountain or as my brother in law Carlo says: "captain of the mountain". Although "captain of the mountain" is not the precise translation, it is the translation that I like because this beautiful porcelain style certainly commands your attention and respect.

The Capodimonte story is very complex and convoluted. So in order to simplify, I am presenting the important events related to Capodimonte porcelain in the following timeline format.

1710: Augustus II, King of Poland and Elector of Saxony (now in Germany) founded the first European porcelain factory in Meissen Germany (near Dresden, both now world famous for their fine porcelain).

1734: Charles of Bourbon (Bourbon was a European royal family) was the son of Philip V (the 1st Bourbon ruler of Spain) and his wife, Elizabeth Farnese (Italian). Charles was coronated King of Naples and Sicily.

1738: Charles married Maria Amalia granddaughter of Augustus II who had previously in 1710 founded Europe's first porcelain factory in Meissen Germany. From his marriage to Maria, Charles became interested in porcelain production in Naples. He wanted to create a porcelain quality that would rival that of Maria's grandfather (Augustus II).

1743: Charles built a small porcelain factory on a hill named Capodimonte near his royal palace. Charles finally decided that porcelain production was not feasible in his small facility and he ordered the building of a new porcelain factory in the royal wood of Capodimonte.

1759: Philip V of Spain died and Charles became Charles III King of Spain and of course had to leave Naples. Before leaving he had the Royal Factory dismantled and moved equipment, inventory and artists with him to Spain. He wanted to keep his recipe of porcelain a secret and he started a new porcelain factory near Madrid.

1771: Ferdinand (Charles's son) assumed his father's throne becoming Ferdinand IV king of Naples. He was also interested in porcelain production so he started a new porcelain factory at Portici from the equipment and supplies that had been left by his father Charles.

1772: Production began in Ferdinand's new porcelain factory. The style and quality from this factory were similar to that of the original factory that was begun by Charles.

1779: Domenico Venuti replaced Perez as director of the factory.

1781: Venuti created the Academy of the Nude whose main goal was the study of the nude figure. Production at the factory was at its all time greatest height and the porcelain had become famous throughout Europe.

1782: Ferdinand had a special porcelain dinner service produced as a gift for his father, Charles III of Spain, who was the founder of the original Capodimonte factory and it was received very coldly by his father.

1785: Ferdinand had another special porcelain dinner service produced as a gift for George III, King of England. The king was overwhelmed upon receiving such a beautiful gift.

1799: France invaded Naples and Ferdinand fled to Sicily leaving Naples and the porcelain factory. The factory was looted by the French and it fell into great disrepair.

July 1799: French rule ended. Ferdinand returned to Naples and attempted to get the Royal Factory back on good footing.

1799 - 1805: Production had been greatly reduced but the Royal Factory continued in business.

1806: The French occupied Naples yet again and Ferdinand was again forced to return to Palermo. Giuseppe Bonaparte was named King of Naples.

1807: The French turned over the responsibility of the porcelain factory to a group of local businessmen.

1808 French commander, Gioacchino Murat became King of Naples replacing Giuseppe Bonaparte.

1816: Ferdinand returned to Naples in 1816 as Ferdinand I King of the Two Sicilies.

1818: The Royal Factory never recovered from the French occupations and their lootings. Business had been in a decline for many years. The equipment, inventory and supplies were sold off to various individuals and businesses thus marking the end of the Royal Factory of Capodimonte.

Today, Capodimonte style porcelain is produced by a number of manufacturers in Italy. There is not one single factory or region where this style now originates.

- Jim Hoyle

Capodimonte Lamp History

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