Preliminary identification
Photo reference
1 uploaded photo
Overview
A highly detailed porcelain figurine group depicting an elegant 18th-century courtly couple sharing tea. The figures are dressed in elaborate Rococo attire, seated on a gilded, scroll-foot base with delicate hand-painted floral accents and applied porcelain lace details.
Story
In the 1950s, Italian workshops revived the grand Rococo porcelain style to satisfy a post-war hunger for old-world European luxury. This scene captures the highly ritualized, flirtatious art of the 18th-century tea ceremony.
Maker / Origin
While inspired by the famous 18th-century Royal Factory of Capodimonte founded by King Charles VII, mid-century pieces like this were crafted by skilled Italian studios such as Tay, Cortese, or Fabris. These workshops kept the tradition of complex, multi-figure slip-casting and delicate hand-painting alive in the Veneto and Campania regions.
Condition & Value
The figurine appears to be in good visual condition from the front. However, these pieces are highly prone to tiny chips on the delicate porcelain lace, fingers, and flower petals. Any chips or professional repairs to the figures' hands or lace will reduce the value by 30-50%.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.