King
Charles was no worse than all the rest. Later, when he became ruler of
Spain, he took many of his Italian workmen there with him, and as a
consequence in 1821 the Naples fabrique was closed; many of the
moulds, as well as much of the outfitting, was sold to the Doccia
works. As a result Capo di Monte was afterward imitated in Doccia hard
and soft paste; but the original ware which is of value to collectors
was that made at Naples. It is very difficult to distinguish this
variety, for the Doccia people even copied the King's trade-mark."
"I suppose people could do that then," ventured Theo.
"Oh, yes. There was nothing to protect an invention as there is now,"
replied Mr. Croyden.
"Did King Charles continue to make porcelain in Spain?"
"Yes, he had a palace called Buen Retiro and here he established
fabriques that continued to thrive even up to the time of King
Ferdinand in 1780, and would probably have prospered much longer had
not the Napoleonic wars come and the French destroyed the factories."
"And what became of the Doccia works in the meantime?" queried Theo.
"I am glad you asked that question," answered Mr. Croyden, "for I had
not finished speaking about the Doccia fabrique.
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