Doccia

Doccia, near Sesto, outside Florence, Italy · Porcelain · also recorded as Ginori, Richard Ginori

Transcribed by Igor Kukolj from Chaffers, William. Marks and Monograms on European and Oriental Pottery and Porcelain, 1891, Reeves & Turner, London, p.428. Scan: archive.org/details/marksmonogramson00chaf (leaf n447). Checked 21 August 2026.

Marks

The A double triangle mark as engraved in Chaffers 1891, page 428 — **A double triangle** · stamped in gold · *engraved in the source*Chaffers 1891, p.428
Chaffers says it is stamped in gold on the BEST pieces, so the mark carries a quality grade as well as an origin.

The GINORI mark as engraved in Chaffers 1891, page 428 — **GINORI** · impressed · *engraved in the source*Chaffers 1891, p.428
The name of the Marchese, sometimes impressed. Chaffers records that it is occasionally abbreviated, with only GIN. used.

The N.S. mark as engraved in Chaffers 1891, page 428 — **N.S.** · painted · *engraved in the source*
Recorded on a tea-service painted with nymphs and satyrs, and a milkpot with Carnival figures and a garden scene.Chaffers 1891, p.428
Attributed to Nicolo Sebastiano. Chaffers treats the attribution as settled because a full déjeûner service carried N.S together with the GINORI name.

The CA mark as engraved in Chaffers 1891, page 428 — CA · impressed · *engraved in the source*
Recorded on a teacup and saucer in the Rev. T. Staniforth's Collection, in addition to the N.S mark.Chaffers 1891, p.428
A supplementary impressed mark rather than a primary one. Chaffers records another piece carrying P.G. in the same position.

The A mullet and double triangle mark as engraved in Chaffers 1891, page 428 — **A mullet and double triangle** · blue or gold · *engraved in the source*Chaffers 1891, p.428
A modification of the double-triangle mark, used on superior quality porcelain.

What the source records

Founded in 1735 by the Marchese Carlo Ginori, contemporaneously with the Imperial Manufactory of Sèvres, at Doccia — a villa of the family a short distance from Florence, near Sesto.Chaffers 1891 · p.426
The Marquis sent a ship to the East Indies at his own expense to obtain samples of the materials used in Chinese porcelain.Chaffers 1891 · p.426
In 1737 he secured the services of Carlo Wandhelien, a chemist, who became director of the works.Chaffers 1891 · p.426
Carlo Ginori died in 1757 and was succeeded by his son the Senator Lorenzo, who enlarged the works, built improved furnaces and increased the number of workmen.Chaffers 1891 · p.426
His successor Carlo Leopoldo established a museum of models by celebrated sculptors, ancient and modern, and a school of design.Chaffers 1891 · p.426
Doccia sustained itself by the exertions of the Ginori family alone; the only encouragement from the Tuscan Government was the prerogative of being the sole fabrique of its kind in the state, which ceased in 1812.Chaffers 1891 · p.426
The early moulds of the Capo di Monte porcelain were transferred to Doccia when that manufactory was discontinued in 1821.Chaffers 1891 · p.426
The initials N.S are attributed to Nicolo Sebastiano, and are proved satisfactorily to belong to the Doccia fabrique — a complete déjeûner service so marked was seen, many pieces bearing the name GINORI in addition.Chaffers 1891 · p.428

Why this differs from other listings

Chaffers explains the single most consequential fact about Italian porcelain marks and most listings omit it: when Capo di Monte closed in 1821 its moulds went to Doccia, which then reproduced the ware AND imitated the mark. He writes that Europe was in consequence inundated with false Capo di Monte, purchasable to any extent at Doccia itself. A crowned N is therefore not evidence of Capo di Monte, and the reason is documented rather than rumoured.

The source page

Page 428 of Chaffers 1891, the source for this entry — Chaffers 1891, p.428 — public domain, from archive.org/details/marksmonogramson00chaf (leaf n447). Check the transcription against it.

What this entry does not establish

Chaffers records P.G. as another supplementary impressed mark but does not expand it. No name is asserted here.
The N.S / Nicolo Sebastiano expansion is Chaffers' attribution, not an independent one.