Figurine of a girl playing the bongo - Sibania

Porcelain figurine of Diana depicting a small Bongo player in a yellow dress. Her hair is styled in a bob haircut. She is sitting on her knees, hitting a tambourine, just as her brother Drum, who is now part of PixieBand, taught her.

Every item produced by Sibania is absolutely unique in both craftsmanship and technique, which is unparalleled and makes imitation difficult. 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. Hairstyles are also occasionally crafted by hand. Faces, clothing, and accessories are painted with non-toxic colors on the “biscuit” terracotta; the piece is finally subjected to a further firing called the “third fire.” Additional details, such as violin strings or stand supports, are added at this stage to the finished piece.

The highest quality porcelain combined with handwork and original designs is the hallmark of Sibania. It is a tribute to true craftsmanship, human dexterity, and the times when handmade products were highly valued. 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 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 Capodimonte porcelain craftsmanship, Sibania has been producing porcelain since 1980. Building on this tradition, characterized by exceptional manual skills, the company strives to introduce continuous innovations while maintaining handcrafted quality and Italian craftsmanship as benchmarks.

The brand places great importance on the evolving tradition of artisan workshops, with detailed material research, and one of their goals is continuous product innovation with a focus on human health: that is, using only non-toxic materials free from lead, cadmium, and other harmful compounds. Based on experiences 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 companies in Italy. In 1998, the company began producing figurines, small sculptures mainly depicting children. On one hand, they continuously draw on the productive finishing and decorating techniques learned 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 unique.

These stylish 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 special gifts.