The figurative arts, sculpture and painting developed at the same time as early attempts to produce porcelain. In 500 BC, the Chinese began to produce the first examples and for the first time in history of art, various other attempts were made all over the world until 1743 when Charles of Bourbon founded the first European factory on the hill of Capodimonte.
Later Napoleon gave permission for the use of the Imperial letter, the famous crowned “N” to celebrate the unique qualities of the mixture. What are the ingredients? On a simple level, it made up of kaolin soil, more mysteriously there are secret formulas which have made Capodimonte unique in the world.
Little or nothing is known of this magic alchemy of the Capodimonte school. At best, we know something of the techniques: firing takes place at 1240°, which leads to vetrification. It may seem easy, but at the very moment of vetrification, the secret formulas and the artist’s skill come to the fore in making a success of the operation and set the tone for the high level of manipulation. Finally comes the equally secret colouring process, where personal formulas are used to mix powder pigments with natural essences of turpentine, lavender and other essential oils before each colour is fired at its own particular temperature. Some pigments are extremely valuable, like pure 24K gold, and require separate special firings for the glossy finish.
Many people have tried to discover the secret formula for porcelain, including Medardo Rosso, later Rodin and Picasso for their sculptures, but they only succeeded in producing ceramics, before declaring that in spite of all their artistic skill, they could no more than imitate the porcelains of Capodimonte, unique in history.
