Handmade figurine of a pair of lovers - Sibania

A porcelain figurine of a loving couple sitting on a pastel pink bench. She is wearing a yellow and white lace dress and a leather handbag. Her hair is styled in a side ponytail. She is dressed in jeans and a cream-colored T-shirt. They have just met, but their hands are almost touching and holding each other as they lean towards one another.

Every item produced by Sibania is absolutely unique in both craftsmanship and technique, which is unmatched and makes imitation difficult. 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 statue’s body. Hairstyles are also sometimes handcrafted. Faces, clothing, and accessories are painted with non-toxic colors on the “biscuit” terracotta; the piece is finally subjected to 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 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, 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 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 handmade craftsmanship and Italian artisanry as benchmarks.

The brand places great importance on the evolving tradition of craftsmanship, 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 molds for the most important artisan workshops and porcelain doll manufacturers in Italy. In 1998, the company began producing figurines, small sculptures mainly depicting children. On one hand, constantly remembering the finishing and decorating techniques acquired during Capodimonte experiences, and on the other, introducing new stylistic and technical methods. The unique and specific techniques used by Sibania, as well as the widespread use of manual skills, make their work 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 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 very distinctive. These figurines are collectible items, but their expressive power can easily convey care or messages, making them occasionally very meaningful gifts.