Porcelain figurine of a young double bass player - Sibania

Porcelain figurine of a young double bassist. He is wearing a blue shirt, a red and black vest, brown and white plaid boxers, and a hat. It seems he is focused on his role as an accompanist: fully aware that his friends, all members of the Sweet Swing Band, the official jazz band of Sibania, would miss the base they need for writing new songs and melodies without his help.

Every item produced by Sibania is absolutely unique both in the craftsmanship of each piece and in the technique used, which is unrivaled and makes imitation difficult. These items are entirely 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 body. Hairstyles are also occasionally handcrafted. On the “biscuit” terracotta, faces, clothes, and accessories are painted with non-toxic colors; the piece is finally subjected to a further firing called “third fire.” Any additional details, such as violin strings or stand bases, are added at this stage to the finished piece.

The highest quality porcelain combined with handwork and exceptional designs is the hallmark of the Sibania brand. It is a tribute to true craftsmanship, human dexterity, and the times when handmade was a valued commodity. Beautiful porcelain dolls are their signature, already 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 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 reference points.

The manufactory places great importance on the evolving tradition of the artisan workshop, with precise research into materials, 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. After experience with Capodimonte porcelain, it can be proudly said 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 doll-making companies in Italy. In 1998, the company began producing figurines, small sculptures mainly depicting children. On one hand, they continuously remember the productive finishing and decorating techniques acquired during Capodimonte experiences, 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, allow us to say that their works are truly unique.

These beautiful figurines aim to represent the world, the world of childhood, full of emotions and evoking feelings in those who come into contact with them; believing that the purity of porcelain makes it the most suitable material for artistically depicting childhood innocence and purity. For the realization of these sculptures, traditional techniques serve as a starting point for a more innovative and contemporary representation, 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 especially valuable gifts.