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.
Vintage Victorian Italian Capodimonte Porcelain Table Lamp with Shade
By Capodimonte
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Victorian Italian Capodimonte Porcelain Table Lamp with Shade This beautiful antique Capodimonte hand painted figurine table lamp is in great condition. It is depicting a la...
Metal
Vintage Regency Capodimonte Table Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Incredible vintage Italian porcelain Capodimonte lamp. Magnificent jewel tone highlighted by bright gilt touches. Acquired from a Palm. Each estate.
Porcelain
Baroque Bassano Porcelain Table Lamp of an Italian Aristocrat
By Bassano
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Very kitsch and very fun... An Italian aristocrat with a classic lamp growing out of his head. Handmade in the 1960s. This porcelain piece was made by Bassano in Italy. Marked.
Porcelain, Fabric
Early 20th Century Capodimonte Porcelain Double Socket Table Lamp
Located in San Francisco, CA
Early 20th century capodimonte porcelain double socket table lamp Beautiful hand painted mythological Roman scenes featuring Romulus and Re...
Porcelain
$450
H 22 in W 5.5 in D 5.5 in
Vintage Italian Capodimonte Porcelain Table Lamp, Hand Painted with Cherubs
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Impressive Italian antique capodimonte porcelain lamp. Hand made and hand painted with dancing cherubs and gold leaf design. 22" ...
Porcelain
$1,220
H 24.6 in W 12.6 in D 12.6 in
Giuseppe Armani Porcelain Figural Table Lamp Mother and Child Florence Italy
By Giuseppe Armani
Located in BŘECLAV, CZ
Elegant Italian table lamp by Giuseppe Armani, crafted in Florence and depicting a tender mother and child scene. The finely detailed porcelain figure shows Armani’s signature romant...
Porcelain, Fabric, Wood
$11,500
H 36 in W 8.75 in D 8.75 in
19th Century Meissen Porcelain Rococo Style Candlestick Table Lamp
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning antique, circa 1880s, Dresden porcelain figural flower encrusted candlestick - candelabra mounted as a lamp. Exquisitely handmade and painted in Germany in the late 19th century, developed by Ernst August Leuteritz, the very finest of quality, exceptionally executed in the decadent opulence and sophisticated elegance that is Meissen Rococo taste, featuring sculptural seated putti holding fruit and flower motif, having an architecturally articulated shaped baluster shaft, tripartite base rising on high volute C-scroll feet, elaborately decorated in the most intricate floral and fiolate applied and relief decoration in rich polychome and brilliant gold leaf gilt accents. Early 20th century and later light fixture elements, professionally electrified and fashioned as a large luminaire table lamp. The candlestick drilled, standard mounted with adjustable two light post, topped with removable rod retaining remnants of original paint finish with distressed chippy paint patina, surmounted with matching ornate porcelain flower bouquet...
Porcelain
$5,171
H 26.38 in W 12.6 in D 12.6 in
Early 20th Century Saxon Porcelain Table Lamp, Napoleon III Style.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Early 20th-century table lamp, Napoleon III style, made of Saxon porcelain. H: 67 cm, W: 32 cm, D: 32 cm Please contact us before placing your order to confirm the product’s availab...
Porcelain
Large Figural Ceramic Table Lamp by D. Polo Uiato, Capodimonte Style
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large figural ceramic table lamp by D. Polo Uiato, Capodimonte style This is a large and rare piece lamp, the lamp is a colourful outdoor scene wi...
Ceramic
19th Century French Sèvres Porcelain Table Lamp by M. Demoreceaux
Located in Queens, NY
"French Victorian (19th Century) Sèvres porcelain lamp with figural angel group mounted on a square bronze base with handles. (signed M. Demoreceaux). Ships without a shade"
Bronze
