Porcelain doll of a woman sitting on a stool - Sibania

Porcelain figurine of an 18th-century Venetian lady sitting on a stool. She wears a dove-gray skirt and a patterned petticoat and corset in the same color with white and reddish lace inserts. Her hair is styled in an elaborate updo decorated with a white bow.

Every item produced by Sibania is absolutely unique both in terms of the craftsmanship of each piece and the technique used, which is unparalleled and makes imitation difficult. These items are entirely modeled and hand-painted in our laboratory in the province of 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.” Any additional details, such as violin strings or stand supports, are added at this stage to the finished piece.

The highest quality porcelain 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 products were highly valued. Beautiful porcelain dolls are their signature, recognized worldwide. Sibania is an Italian company based in Vicenza. Italian craftsmanship and workshop traditions form the basis of ongoing research into materials and production techniques of the brand.

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 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 a reference point.

The manufactory places great importance on the evolving tradition of the artisan workshop, with detailed material research, and one of their goals is continuous product innovation with respect for human health: that is, 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 its own 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 productive 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, 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 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. 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 valuable gifts as well.