Brothers Ercole and Cesare formed the antiquarian firm E.& C. Canessa, active in Naples, Paris and New York. Following the death of Cesare c. 1923, the partnership was dissolved, and a sale was held on 25-26 January 1924 at the American Art Association in New York. After this, Cesare's heirs continued to operate E.& C. Canessa in Naples and Ercole Canessa operated the New York and Paris businesses under his own name. Folowing Ercole's death in there was an estate sale held at the American Art Association Anderson Galleries, New York, 29 March 1930.