A Capodimonte coffee cup and saucer, circa 1750

each piece brightly painted with moths and scattered insects within gilt formal borders, blue fleur-de-lys mark to cup (some restoration)

With Finarte, Milan, 1968

handle restored
"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."

For the butterflies and insects decoration the Capodimonte manufactory could problably rely on a collection of printed sources repertories including Joris Hoefnagel's Diversae Insectarium Volatium, published in 1630 (fig. 1). The lepidopteral decoration, adopted first by Meissen around 1740, was an artistic expression of the growing scientific interest which characterised the 18^th Century.  For a full discussion of the decoration " a farfalle e insetti" see A. Caròla-Perrotti, op.cit., Naples, 1986, pp.140-141.