Capodimonte China Restoration

Capodimonte Porcelain Restoration Expertise

Capodimonte porcelain, first produced in Naples, Italy, between 1743 and 1759 under the patronage of King Charles VII, is renowned for its high quality, soft-paste porcelain, and exquisite, ornate figurines.

Capodimonte pieces—whether the rare 18th-century originals or the highly-detailed later pieces marked with the Crown over Neapolitan 'N'—are typically characterised by:

• Intricate Figurines: Depicting Neapolitan peasants, commedia dell'arte characters (like Pulcinella), and elegant 18th-century court scenes.
• Delicate Floral Motifs: Abundant application of meticulously hand-modelled and painted porcelain flowers, buds, and garlands.
• Rich Detailing: Finely sculpted drapery, facial expressions, and luxurious elements often enhanced by polychrome enamels and gilding.

Common Damage and Our Restoration Focus

The highly decorative and complex nature of Capodimonte porcelain makes it particularly vulnerable to damage. Our restorers are highly experienced in tackling the issues common to these pieces:

• Figural Extremities: Breaks to hands, fingers, hats, walking sticks, musical instruments (e.g., mandolins), and flowing garment edges. Meticulous ceramic infill and sculptural reconstruction to match the fine lines and unique, restrained painting style of the original modellers.
• Applied Flowers & Foliage: Chipping, crushing, or complete loss of delicate porcelain leaves, petals, and flower sprays (a signature of Capodimonte). Micro-restoration and fabrication. We carefully reconstruct or replace individual floral elements, matching the subtle pastel shades and applied textures for invisible repair.
• Large Figural Groups: Clean breaks across main body parts (neck, arms, torso) or detachment from the ornate, often rococo, bases. Structural bonding and seamless repair using materials that maintain the integrity and look of the original soft-paste porcelain body, followed by perfect colour blending.
• Gilding and Enamels: Rubbing or loss of the lavish gilded scrollwork and rich polychrome enamels on clothing or bases.
• Artistic retouching: to restore lost detail, carefully matching the sheen and tone of the gold accents and colourful enamels.
Our professional restoration ensures that the historical and artistic integrity of your Capodimonte piece is fully preserved, transforming significant damage into an undetectable, museum-quality repair.