Capodimonte Candle Holder - Antique China, Fine China and Modern China Manufacturers Query

by Diana

Capodimonte Candle Holder - Antique China, Fine China and Modern China Manufacturers Query: I have a Capodimonte piece I believe to be from the late 18th century-early 19th century from the research I've done online. It is a grape cluster candle holder with the made Italy impressed on the bottom of it with the blue crown w/the N under it on the bottom also. I have sent photos of it. Would you care to evaluate them?

Diana

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Answer by Peter (admin)

To Capodimonte Candle Holder - Antique China, Fine China and Modern China Manufacturers Query:

Hi Diana

Thanks for your interesting query about your Capodimonte Candle Holder and great photos. Nice to hear from you, your piece looks very interesting. I especially like the shape of the large leaf, it shows a particular fineness of modeling, in my view.

First thing to say is I don't actually do online evaluations - firstly I am not an expert appraiser, I just understand broad principles of china collecting and secondly, this site is all about helping visitors learn the skills of researching for themselves.

However, I can give you an opinion, and pointers. I know much more about UK manufacturers than European, but what I do know about the Capodimonte pottery mark is that after the beginning of the 19th Century it became a type of ceramic ware, not the single trade mark of one factory or firm.

In other words, anybody could make wares and call it "Capodimonte". Rather like Cheddar cheese - anyone can make it and call it "Cheddar". More than any other type of porcelain or china wares, this makes collecting Capodimonte an even more specialist area. I would make no assumptions about any Capodimonte wares, because there could be any type of pottery mark on any piece and none of it could be called fake (it's a can of worm as far as I can see).

However, there are people (not me) who understand the various factories and pottery marks etc.

What I can do is tell you how to research your candle holder so as to get a 'feeling' for value and rarity.

If you go to my China Replacement page, you can follow instructions on how to research the internet properly, particularly how to find 'hidden' items on ebay.

Do the following:

Click on the specially coded link to ebay on that page and in the ebay search box that comes up, replace the words "China Replacement" with these words "capodimonte grapes hand made" (exactly as written). There you will find a Powerseller called "Gary's Place" who offers a pair of Capodimonte candle holder exactly the same as yours for $47.99 for a pair.

Interestingly, the same candle holder is also listed on Craigslist. I have a sneaky feeling this might be your own listing - am I right??

Hope all this helps you on your way and you enjoy learning more about Capodimonte. Who knows, you might catch the 'bug' bigtime!

Best regards

Peter (admin)

p.s. The following page is a 'must see' if you are researching fine china - for value and identification:-

Researching the identity and value of antique and vintage fine china.