Elegant hand-painted Pinocchio figurine - Sibania

Porcelain figurine of Pinocchio with a long nose. He is wearing a white jacket with red polka dots, black trousers, and a red pointed hat with white trim. He is sitting on yellow steps, with his crossed arms resting on his knees, touching each other. He is looking into the distance, lost in thought. Perhaps he is thinking about how nice it would be to watch a puppet show instead of going to school. Next to him on the tiled floor lies a book telling his story: “Once there was a piece of wood…”

Every item produced by Sibania is absolutely unique both in terms of the craftsmanship of each piece and the technique used, which is unrivaled and makes imitation difficult. These items are fully 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. Hairstyles are also sometimes handcrafted. On the “biscuit” terracotta faces, clothing, and accessories are painted with non-toxic colors; the piece is finally subjected to further firing called “third fire.” Any additional details, such as violin strings or stand bases, are added at this stage to the finished piece.

The highest quality porcelain combined with manual work and exceptional designs gives Sibania its signature. It is a tribute to true craftsmanship, human dexterity, and the times when handmade was a valued commodity. Delicate porcelain dolls are their hallmark, recognized worldwide. Sibania is an Italian company based in Vicenza. Italian craftsmanship and workshop traditions 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 porcelain craftsmanship known as Capodimonte, 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 handcrafted techniques and Italian craftsmanship as benchmarks.

The brand places great importance on the evolving tradition of artisan workshops, 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. After 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, constantly remembering the productive finishing and decorating techniques learned during Capodimonte experiences, and on the other, introducing new stylistic and technical methods. The unique and specific techniques used by Sibania, as well as the widespread use of manual skills, make their works 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. For the creation of 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 especially distinctive. These figurines are collectible items, but their expressive power can easily convey care or messages, making them occasionally very meaningful gifts.