The history of Capodimonte porcelain is steeped in the traditions, and desires, of Italy's royal family. The Capodimonte porcelain factory was founded in 1759 in the city of Naples, Italy. Prior to this event, however, Poland's King Augustus II established Europe's first porcelain factory. It specialized in hard paste porcelain and was located in Saxony in what is now known as Germany.
King Augustus II had a granddaughter named Maria Amalia. Maria Amalia married King Charles of Naples. It was at this point that King Charles became interested in the porcelain industry. King Charles spent many years learning about the Chinese porcelain industry. He also researched viable alternatives to the closely guarded Chinese porcelain formula in order to replicate it as closely as possible.
Kaolin deposits were found in Fuscaldo and Paolo which enabled the Capodimonte porcelain factory to have a source of material from which to create their exquisite porcelain wares. While trying unsuccessfully to learn the secrets of the Saxony porcelain production, King Charles did, however, discover the original factory was unsuitable for Capodimonte porcelain to flourish due to its woefully inadequate size.
A new and larger Capodimonte porcelain factory was built. Although, it was subsequently destroyed by King Charles, this Capodimonte porcelain factory was successful. The Capodimonte porcelain factory made items such as figurines, plates, and vases for the Royal family as well as items for those dignitaries that were visiting the Royal family.
King Charles ordered the factory to be demolished when he became King Charles III of Spain in the mid 1700s. He also brought all the porcelain making equipment with him to Spain in order to protect the secret of his method of porcelain manufacturing. King Charles also wanted to start another factory in order to make porcelain in Spain and satisfy his desire for the fine wares.
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King Charles' son Ferdinand subsequently became the king of Naples. He ordered the Capodimonte porcelain factory to be reestablished using items such as the tools, machinery, and porcelain his father did not take with him. By studying those items remaining from the Capodimonte porcelain factory of King Charles' reign, King Ferdinand's workers were able to replicate the delicate Capodimonte porcelain for which he had developed a taste. As a result, this new Capodimonte porcelain factory produced wares in much the same vein as it had in its previous incarnation.
Again, the Capodimonte porcelain factory's output was restricted to primarily those items being used by the Royal family itself or those items that were intended to by gifts to various other members of royalty or to those visitors of great importance.
The Neopolitan revolution as well as the French invasion occurred in 1799. These events severely curtailed the output of the workers of the Capodimonte porcelain factory. The advancing armies ransacked the buildings of Capodimonte porcelain factory looking for valuables. Although King Ferdinand returned to Naples for several years, he was forced to flee again in 1806.
Production at Capodimonte porcelain factory effectively ceased at about this time as the renowned factory became just another spoil of the war. Particularly treasured for their Bisquit that, due to the skill and style of the creators, did not redden as it advanced in age as was the case of other porcelain from Saxony and Sevres. Capodimonte porcelain can be difficult to find outside of a museum, or other private, setting.
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