Description
Capodimonte Porcelain Pedestal with Campana Urn
19th Century – Italy
This impressive pedestal and urn set is a striking example of Capodimonte porcelain, celebrated for its
densely applied, hand-modeled relief figures in the Neapolitan decorative tradition. The tall cylindrical
pedestal is wrapped in continuous bands of classical figures in flowing robes, rendered in high relief and
hand-painted in rich jewel tones of coral, gold, sage green, and sky blue — scenes include musicians
playing a harp, dancing maidens beneath a canopy of drapery, and figures gathered near classical ruins, all
set against a soft ivory ground.
Atop the pedestal sits a matching campana-form urn, its wide flaring rim and body likewise covered in
continuous relief scenes of classically draped figures, bordered by acanthus foliate banding and twin
mask-head handles. Both pedestal and urn are finished with gilt-bronze mounted bases with a stepped,
ribbed foot raised on a square gilt bronze plinth, adding stability and a formal, finished presentation.
This exceptional, large-scale piece would serve as a dramatic architectural and decorative statement in an
entry hall, gallery, or formal room, showcasing the labor-intensive hand-modeling and painting associated
with fine Italian relief porcelain.
