Today's word is "Capodimonte". I suppose this type of Italian porcelain pottery is either something you love, or something you hate. Full of colorful blossoms, cherubs, and classical themes, in the wrong setting it can look a bit tacky. But tacky is in the eye of the beholder, I always say!
Capodimonte originated in Naples, Italy back in the the mid 1700's and was a fine quality porcelain. King Charles of Naples was passionate about the development of beautiful porcelain, and created the Royal Factory where Capodimonte was produced. With King Charles' passing, his son continued the tradition. For a period of time the Royal Factory moved to Spain, but eventually returned to Italy.
The crown mark from the Royal Factory:
Photo Credit: About.com
Eventually, Capodimonte has been produced by other manufacturers besides the Royal Factory, some with lesser quality than others. For example, it may be pottery/ceramic rather than porcelain, and the decoration may not have the expert detailing of the original Capodimonte. You might find the pieces helpfully marked "Capodimonte" on the underside, but that doesn't mean they were made at the Royal Factory. Confusing? Yes.
These jardinieres feature lush decoration and are of high quality:
Now we're getting into tacky territory. These ceramic and plastic roses were offered on eBay for $99 but didn't sell:
Commonly found forms of Capodimonte are lamp bases, figurines, and molded floral arrangements. Pieces from the mid-1900's are very affordable, especially the lamp bases and figural pieces that aren't porcelain. Often the lamp bases can be purchased for around $30 or even less at estate sales.
Perhaps one or two pieces of Capodimonte could fit into your decor. In the right hands, I think it can work!
Mitzi
