Figurine of a jazz singer - Sibania

A porcelain figurine of a dark-skinned jazz singer in an elegant yellow lace dress. She is barefoot and playing with the cord connecting the microphone she holds to the speaker behind her. She dreams of being like Ella Fitzgerald, the woman after whom she was named, and her passion is playing music together with friends and musicians, members of the Sweet Swing Band, the official jazz band of Sibania.

Every item produced by Sibania is absolutely unique both in the craftsmanship of each piece and in the technique used, 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 sculpture’s torso. Hairstyles are also occasionally crafted by hand. Faces, clothing, and accessories are painted with non-toxic colors on the “bisque” terracotta; the piece is finally subjected to a further firing process called “third fire.” All additional details, such as violin strings or stand bases, are added at this stage to the finished piece.

The highest quality porcelain combined with hand craftsmanship and classic designs is the hallmark of Sibania. It is a tribute to true artisanship, human dexterity, and the times when handmade products were highly valued. Delicate porcelain dolls are their signature, now 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 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 maintaining handcrafted quality and Italian craftsmanship as its reference point.

The manufactory places great importance on the evolving tradition of artisan workshops, with precise material research, and one of their goals is continuous innovation in production with respect for human health: using only non-toxic, lead-free, cadmium-free, and other hazardous substances. After experience with Capodimonte porcelain, it can be proudly stated that since the mid-1980s, Sibania has been a leading company in the field of porcelain doll production. Indeed, since the 1980s, their production has been based on proprietary bisque 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 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 beautiful figurines aim to represent the world, the world of childhood, full of emotions and evoking feelings in those who come into contact with 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.