Cup and saucer

Art Historical Context

Step into the refined world of 18th Neapolitan luxury with this delicate cup and saucer from Capodimonte Por Manufactory, crafted around 1745. Produced in soft-paste porcelain—a friable yet translucent material that mimicked prized Chinese hard-paste porcelain—this pair exemplifies early Italian efforts to master the medium. cup stands just 2¾ inches tall, while the saucer measures 5¼ inches across, perfect for intimate aristocratic tea rituals. Founded in 1743 by Charles of Bourbon, King of Naples, at the Palazzo Reale di Capodimonte, the manufactory quickly rivaled Europe's elite producers like Meissen and Sèvres. Its soft-paste formula, fired at lower temperatures with additives like sand and gypsum, allowed for intricate modeling and vibrant overglaze enameling, often featuring floral motifs as seen here. These pieces were symbols of royal patronage and cultural sophistication, blending technical innovation with decorative flair. Housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Sculpture and Decorative Arts department, this set from The Hans Syz Collection highlights Capodimonte's brief but brilliant early phase before the factory's relocation in 1759. A testament to Naples' artistic ambition, it invites us to savor the fragile beauty of Bourbon-era porcelain.