A large Capodimonte dish circa 1750

of deep moulded silver shape, extravagantly painted with a scene of chinoiserie figures taking tea in the elaborate bell towers and flowered grounds of a waterside pavilion, ships and an island in the distance, the rim with a broad border of similar fantasy, with chinese figures struggling manfully to bend the flowering branch border to their will, blue fleur-de-lys mark (some cracks and restoration)

Blohm collection
Guy Hannaford, Christie's Rome, 10 March 1977, lot 285
The Torre Collection, Christie's Geneva, 16 November 1992, lot 1

hair cracks and extended firing cracks, and perhaps losses, under old restoration
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This large dish is exceptional for its dimensions and its highly elaborated composition. The rare border decoration shows the influence of the ornaments used by the Augsburg's goldsmiths, of the Vienna Du Paquier porcelain and may derive from prints.

There is a record of the painter Giovanni Caselli, artistic Director of Capodimonte, asking in 1746, the Neapolitan Ambassador in Paris, the Duke of Jalas, for engravings; since these were not available in Paris, 1747, the Ambassador suggested trying Augsburg or Nuremberg.