The History of Capodimonte
Capodimonte porcelain was born from an 18th-century royal marriage. The original Capodimonte factory in Naples no longer exists, but manufacturers throughout Italy continue the tradition. They produce the elaborate floral designs and figurines that characterize the Capodimonte style. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
-
Origins
-
In 1738, Charles VII, king of Naples and Sicily, married Princess Maria Amalia Christina of Saxony, granddaughter of the Meissen porcelain factory's royal founder. She brought several Meissen works to her new home and Charles liked the items so much he decided to start his own factory.
First Factory
-
The factory opened in 1743 on the Capodimonte palace grounds in Naples. Charles hired chemists to create a secret soft-paste porcelain formula. He also assembled talented modelers, miniaturists and painters.
-
Move to Spain
-
The factory produced plates, vases, bowls, tea sets, snuffboxes and walking sticks until 1759, when Charles became king of Spain. He demolished the Naples factory and moved the workers to a new factory in Buen Retiro, his palace near Madrid. It operated until 1808.
Return to Italy
-
Charles's son, Ferdinand IV, returned the Capodimonte tradition to Italy in 1772, opening a factory in Portici. When Napoleon ousted Ferdinand in the early 1800s, the factory began to decline and closed in 1817.
Masterpiece
-
Capodimonte reached its artistic peak between 1757 and 1759 with the Porcelain Room at Charles' Villa Reale in Portici. Everything in the room, except the door and mirrors, was made of porcelain. In 1805, the room was moved and reconstructed at the Capodimonte palace, now a museum.
Capodimonte Today
-
Many artisans in Naples and other Italian cities produce porcelain in the Capodimonte style. These items include vases, figurines, lamps, clocks and floral centerpieces.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Wikimedia Commons http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/pori/ho_1982.450.4.htm
