Figurine of a woman with a cello - Sibania

Porcelain figurine of a woman sitting on a black bench. She is wearing a lovely pastel green dress and a white tulle shawl over her shoulders. Her short black hair is tousled. She is hugging a small cello, with her legs slightly crossed to the side, and her free hand resting on the edge of the bench. It seems as if she is clutching her musical instrument as if holding a loved one.

Every item produced by Sibania is absolutely unique both in the craftsmanship of each piece and in the technique used, which is unrivaled and difficult to imitate. 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 sculpture’s torso. Hairdos are also sometimes handcrafted. Faces, clothing, and accessories are painted with non-toxic colors on the “biscuit” terracotta; the piece is finally subjected to a further firing called “third fire.” Additional details, such as violin strings or stand bases, are added at this stage to the finished piece.

The highest quality porcelain material combined with manual craftsmanship and original 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, now 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 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 craftsmanship of the so-called 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 material research, and one of their goals is continuous product innovation with respect for human health: using only non-toxic materials free from lead, cadmium, and other hazardous compounds. Based on 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, 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 continually draw on the finishing and decoration techniques learned from Capodimonte; on the other, they introduce new stylistic and technical methods. 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 creating these sculptures, traditional techniques serve as a starting point for a more innovative and contemporary presentation, reflecting the current and modern expressive style of the company’s work. These figurines are collectible items, but their expressive power can easily convey care or messages, making them occasionally valuable gifts as well.