Porcelain doll of an elegant dancer - Sibania

A porcelain figurine of a woman captured in an elegant dance pose. She is wearing an olive-green dress and a white lace slip. It is mounted on a wavy platform.

Every item produced by Sibania is absolutely unique both in terms of the craftsmanship of each piece and the technique used, which is unmatched and difficult to imitate. These objects 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. Hairstyles are also occasionally crafted by hand. On the “biscuit” terracotta surfaces, faces, clothing, and accessories are painted with non-toxic colors; the piece is finally subjected to further firing called the “third fire.” Additional details, such as violin strings or stand supports, are then added at this stage to the finished piece.

The highest quality porcelain combined with handwork and distinctive designs defines the Sibania brand. 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 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 techniques and Italian craftsmanship as benchmarks.

The manufactory places great importance on the evolving tradition of artisan workshops, 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. 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, 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, continuously recalling the productive finishing and decorating techniques learned from Capodimonte, and on the other, introducing 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 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 highly distinctive. These figurines are collectible items, but their expressive power can easily convey care or messages, making them occasionally very meaningful gifts.