A Capodimonte cup and saucer, circa 1750

each stipple-painted by Giovanni Caselli with elegant couples in Arcadian landscape vignettes within formal gilt borders, the inner rim with gilt scrolls and dot ornament, fleur-de-lys marks in blue

two minute rim chips to cup
"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 cup and saucer is painted by Giovanni Caselli with his typical virtuoso technique, shaping the figures and the landscape vignettes with free top brushstrokes leaving some white unpainted areas of porcelain. This style of painting is combined with a lively and bright palette based on the contrast between the blue and the green built up with light touches of the brush.

Giovanni Caselli trained and worked at the Parma Court as a miniaturist. The first painter and Director of the Capodimonte manufactory, he adapted the iconographic sources of Antoine Watteau's works, using print sources, to the porcelain shapes and spaces paintings new composition scenes of the great elegance and balace. For a full discussion of "alla Watteau " decoration see A. Caròla-Perrotti, op. cit., Exhibition Catalogue, Naples, 1986, pp. 83-88.