In 1743, Charles IV of Naples founded his porcelain factory on the outskirts of Naples, within the royal palace of Capodimonte. He was likely encouraged by his wife Maria Amalia of Saxony, the granddaughter of Augustus II, who founded the Meissen porcelain manufactory in the Albrechstburg castle of Dresden several decades prior. Charles IV indeed aimed to emulate the prestigious porcelain produced by Meissen, imitating the factory’s figurines, tablewares, and enamelled decoration. This teapot belongs to the same service as the Capodimonte teacup in the Chitra Collection (see CCN.1396). These pieces are decorated ‘a fiori orientali o coreani‘ (‘with Oriental or Korean flowers’) a style of decoration which is unique to Capodimonte porcelain produced in the period 1743- 1755. The variety of blossoms, all growing on the same stems, were fanciful versions of the botanical prints used by porcelain decorators, and of the peony blossoms decorating Chinese Famille Rose wares which were exported to Europe in vast quantities and very fashionable among the wealthy.
