Elegant porcelain Harlequin doll - Sibania

Porcelain figurine depicting Arlecchino (Harlequin), an Italian Commedia dell'arte mask associated with Venice. Sitting on a wooden fence, holding a batòcio, his traditional short wooden sword. He wears his well-known costume covered with irregular patches and a white ruffle around the neck. He also has a black mask and a white hat.

Every item produced by Sibania is absolutely unique both in terms of craftsmanship of each piece and the technique used, which is unrivaled and difficult to imitate. These items are fully modeled and hand-painted in our workshop 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 for the hair are also occasionally handcrafted. On the “biscuit” terracotta, faces, clothing, and accessories are painted with non-toxic colors; the piece is finally subjected to a further firing 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 raw material in the form of porcelain, combined with manual work and distinctive designs, is the hallmark of Sibania. It is a tribute to true craftsmanship, human dexterity, and the times when handmade was a valued commodity. The exquisite porcelain dolls they create are their signature, recognized worldwide. Sibania is an Italian company based in Vicenza. Italian craftsmanship and workshop traditions form the foundation of the company’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 handmade techniques and Italian craftsmanship as benchmarks.

The brand 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: using only non-toxic, lead-free, cadmium-free, and other hazardous substances. 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 major artisan workshops and porcelain doll manufacturers in Italy. In 1998, the company began producing figurines, small sculptures mainly depicting children. On one hand, they continuously draw on the finishing and decoration techniques acquired during Capodimonte experiences, and on the other, they introduce new stylistic and technical methods. The unique and specific techniques used by Sibania, along with the widespread use of manual skills, allow us to say that their works are truly one of a kind.

These romantic 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 portraying childhood innocence and purity. Traditional techniques serve as a starting point for more innovative and contemporary representations, as the current and modern expression of the company’s work is particularly distinctive. These figurines are collectible items, but their expressive power can easily convey care or messages, making them occasionally very meaningful gifts.