Figurine of a woman holding a child - Sibania

Porcelain figurine of a mother holding a child in her arms. The mother is dressed in a white dress with a simple gray pattern. She is lying on the ground, supported on her elbow, so that the child can rest against her arm. Instead of the black wooden platform shown in the photo, this figurine is placed on a marble porcelain base in shades of beige, white, and salmon.

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 difficult to imitate. These objects 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 sculpture’s torso. Hairdos are also sometimes 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 the “third fire.” All additional details, such as violin strings or stand supports, are added at this stage to the finished piece.

The highest quality porcelain material combined with manual craftsmanship and classic designs embodies the essence of the Sibania brand. 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 porcelain craftsmanship, such as 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 maintaining handcrafted techniques and Italian craftsmanship as benchmarks.

The manufactory places great importance on the evolving tradition of artisan workshops, with detailed research into materials. One of their goals is continuous product innovation with a focus on 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 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 draw on the finishing and decorating techniques learned from Capodimonte, 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, make their works truly one-of-a-kind.

These exceptional figurines aim to represent the world, the world of childhood—full of emotions and evoking feelings in those who experience it; believing that the purity of porcelain makes it the most suitable material for artistically depicting childhood innocence and purity. For creating 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 particularly distinctive. These figurines are collectible items, but their expressive power can easily convey care or messages, making them occasionally very meaningful gifts.