Capodimonte Figurine - Antique China, Fine China and Modern China Manufacturers Query

by Marie
(US)

Capodimonte Figurine - Antique China, Fine China and Modern China Manufacturers Query:- My long search through web sites brought me here, I have never found anything so hard to find information on. My Grandmother has left me a rather large statue of Joseph leading Mary and the Baby Jesus atop a donkey. It does have Capodimonte on the front and the original tag stating La Fuente. Can you help me?

Marie

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Reply from Peter (admin) below - just scroll down

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Reply by Peter (admin)

To:- "Capodimonte Figurine - Antique China, Fine China and Modern China Manufacturers Query"

Dear Marie

Thanks for your interesting query and what a nice Capodimonte figurine to be left by your grandmother.

First of all it's good to remember that after the early 1800's "Capo di monte" or "Capodimonte" was a term applied not to a specific factory, but to a general style of sculpture. Like "Cheddar" denotes a type of cheese, so "Capodimonte" refers to a type of sculpture.

Originally, the Capo di monte factory was the Royal Italian factory of the Neapolitan King Charles who inherited the throne of Spain becoming Charles III King of Spain (1759-1788). The Napoleonic wars put paid to the Royal factory and ever since then local businessmen created their own versions of the Capodimonte style.

I have no specific knowledge of the more modern Capo di monte products apart from the observation that anyone seems to be able to call their wares 'Capodimonte' and use the old style N mark with crown as there seems to be no trade mark protection. I have searched around online and found references to various Capodimonte wares that might be from the same type of factory as your piece.

At the time of writing, from a range described as "the La Fuente collection of Meneghetti" (of which I can find little or no information online) is a sculpture of an old style Mercedes roadster showing a female driver and a male leaning on the outside of the car. It is 9" wide x 15" long x 12" tall. The sellers were asking $59 USD.

Another item is described as being from the "PORCELLANE MARZIA collection of MENEGHETTI". It is a sculpture of Little Red Riding Hood measuring 7.5 inches across and standing 12" tall. There was no price in connection with this one.

To get the feel for how much items are worth in general there is no better place than the very active market on eBay. On my China Replacements page

www.figurines-sculpture.com/china-replacement.html

you can follow instructions on how to go direct to a deep level eBay search using the link provided. It is a great way of getting a range of values for Capo di Monte figurines.

Hope this helps.

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.