Doll of a thoughtful girl looking at the sea - Sibania

A porcelain figurine of a young girl gazing towards the endless sea. She is dressed in a long beige dress with long sleeves, an orange scarf around her neck, and a Maltese-style hat called “Corto”. This young girl is placed on a flowing platform and looks out towards the sea, waiting for a loved one to return or dreaming of her home beyond the sea.

Every item produced by Sibania is absolutely unique both in terms of the craftsmanship of each piece and the technique used, which is unparalleled and difficult to imitate. These items are entirely modeled and hand-painted in our laboratory in Vicenza (Italy). The clothing consists of thin porcelain sheets with printed textures. These sheets are cut according to the dress pattern and then patiently applied to the statue’s torso. Hairdos are also occasionally crafted by hand. On the “biscuit” terracotta, faces, clothing, and accessories are painted with non-toxic colors; the piece is finally subjected to a further firing process called “third fire”. Any additional details, such as violin strings or stand supports, are added at this stage to the finished piece.

The highest quality porcelain combined with manual work and original designs is the hallmark of Sibania. It is a tribute to true craftsmanship, human dexterity, and the times when handmade items were highly valued. Delicate porcelain dolls are their signature, recognized worldwide. Sibania is an Italian company based in Vicenza. Italian craftsmanship and the tradition of artisan workshops form the foundation of the brand’s ongoing research into materials and production techniques.  

From porcelain paste to production, the entire process is developed entirely in workshops in Isola Vicentina, where skilled artisans, designers, and painters meticulously refine each figurine and give each face its own expression. Inspired by the stylistic and technical features of traditional craftsmanship of the so-called Capodimonte porcelain, Sibania has been producing porcelain since 1980. Building on this tradition, characterized by exceptional manual skills, the company strives to introduce continuous innovations while preserving handmade craftsmanship and Italian artisan tradition as a reference point.

The manufactory places great importance on the evolving tradition of the artisan workshop, with detailed research into materials, and one of their goals is continuous product innovation with respect for human health: that is, using only non-toxic materials free from lead, cadmium, and other hazardous compounds. Based on experience with Capodimonte porcelain, it can be proudly stated that since the mid-1980s, Sibania has been a leading company in the production of porcelain dolls. Indeed, since the 1980s, production has been based on proprietary biscuit component models for the most important artisan workshops and porcelain doll companies in Italy. In 1998, the company began producing figurines, small sculptures mainly depicting children. On one hand, they continuously remember the productive finishing and decoration techniques learned during Capodimonte experiences, and on the other, they introduce new stylistic and technical methods. The unique and specific techniques used by Sibania, as well as the widespread use of manual skills, allow us to say that their works are truly one of a kind.

These exceptional figurines aim to represent the world, the world of childhood, full of emotions and capable of evoking feelings in those who encounter them; believing that the purity of porcelain makes it the most suitable material for artistically depicting childhood innocence and purity. To realize these sculptures, traditional techniques serve as a starting point for a more innovative and contemporary presentation, as the current and modern expression of the company’s work is highly distinctive. These figurines are collectible items, but their expressive power can easily convey care or messages, making them occasionally very meaningful gifts.