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Name: 8562432127
Contact: verdone17@hotmail.com
Date: 06/09/2008
history of capodimonte Porcelain By Rita Fae Capodimonte porcelain is a royal name with a regal past. The story of Capodimonte porcelain is one of passion and art, love and war. Capoimonte porcelain’s royal name is synonymous with quality porcelain figurines and flowers, but the history can be traced all the way back to late 1700’s Naples royalty, to Charles VII, King of Naples and Sicily. He married Amalia of Poland, whose grandfather, Augustus II, opened the first porcelain factory. Amalia had a love for fine porcelain and artistry, and King Charles VII followed his wife’s love with a passion of his own---to build the highest quality porcelain factory that would rival that of Augustus II. Charles created a space in his palace where Giovanni Caselli and chemist Livio Ottavio Schepers could develop the formula for porcelain used in Augustus II’s factories. This did not prove to be an easy task and until 1743, the ability to manufacture the finest quality porcelain remained elusive. It was in this year that Charles II commissioned a new factory in the Royal Wood of Capodimonte, where the regal porcelain gets its namesake. Shortly thereafter, Charles II’s passion for fine porcelain was realized. Deposits of kaolin were found in Italy, mineral necessary to make fine porcelain. The royal Capodimonte factory then took off into full production under the passionate guide of Charles II. During the early times of Capodimonte porcelain history, only the best artisans from Italy and Spain were used. A full workforce consisted of the best craftsman and artisans of Italy. According to capodimonte-ltd.com, Giovanni Caselli and his niece Maria Caselli made beautiful fine quality porcelain figurines with painted flowers and landscape scenes. Animals and battle scenes were created by Giuseppe della Torre, Luigi Restile and Giacomo d'Avolio. Yet, even today, Capodimonte porcelain is world renowned for its artistic designs, its fine porcelain quality, and its royal history. Capodimonte porcelain history is one of passion, obsession, love and war. It is remembered not only because of the story, but because the workers believed in the fine quality of the Capodimonte porcelain. In that short fifty year lifespan, Capodimonte porcelain history made a mark of beauty and quality on the world that is still loved by collectors. Capodimonte porcelain history is still being uncovered today. Notably, the archeological excavation at Nola, Herculaneum, and Pompei has revealed royal Capodimonte treasures thought to be lost. Some of these treasures include the books commissioned by Ferdinand which depict in almost painstaking detail the designs of Capodimonte porcelain by his royal artisans. Other treasures unearthed include the busts used in manufacturing and porcelain dinner services.