Pair of hand-painted coffee cups in Capodimonte porcelain made in the 1940s

Saucer - Ø 12.5 cm

Capodimonte porcelain is a type of soft-paste porcelain first produced in Naples, Italy, in the 18th century. It is known for its delicate white color, intricate floral designs, and use of gold and silver accents.

The Capodimonte factory was founded in 1743 by King Charles III of Spain, who was also king of Naples. Initially the factory staff consisted of workers from the Meissen porcelain factory in Germany, and Capodimonte's early pieces were heavily influenced by Meissen's designs.

However, Capodimonte soon developed its own unique style, characterized by the use of bright colors and elaborate ornamentation. Capodimonte porcelain was often decorated with scenes from mythology, history and everyday life. It was also popular for making figurines, animals and other decorative items.

Capodimonte porcelain quickly became popular throughout Europe and was used by many of the leading royal families. The factory continued to produce high-quality porcelain throughout the 18th and 19th centuries.

In the 20th century the Capodimonte factory experienced a decline in production. However, it was revived in the 1960s and continues to produce high-quality porcelain today.

Capodimonte porcelain is today a valuable collector's item and can be found in museums and private collections around the world. Some of the most famous pieces of Capodimonte porcelain include the "Swan Service", made for Catherine the Great of Russia, and the "Flora Danica" service, made for the Danish royal family.