Porcelain figurine of an accordionist - Sibania

Porcelain figurine of a life-loving accordionist in love. He wears a pink shirt, a gray dove-colored vest, gray boxers, a light blue bandana around his neck, and a beret. Sitting astonished on a stool, he admires Mirò, the girl with whom he always spends afternoons by the river. He also looks at his musician friends, all members of the Sweet Swing Band, the official jazz band of Sibania.

Every item produced by Sibania is absolutely unique both in the craftsmanship of each piece and in the technique used, which is unparalleled and difficult to imitate. These items are fully 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 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 material in the form of porcelain, combined with manual craftsmanship 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. The exquisite porcelain dolls they create are their hallmark, recognized worldwide. Sibania is an Italian company based in Vicenza. Italian craftsmanship and the tradition of artisanal workshops underpin the company’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 preserving handmade craftsmanship and Italian artisanry as benchmarks.

The manufactory places great importance on the evolving centuries-old tradition of the artisan workshop, with precise material research, 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 production of porcelain dolls. Indeed, since the 1980s, production has been based on proprietary 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 continually remember the productive finishing and decorating techniques learned 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, make their works truly one-of-a-kind.

These stylish 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 the realization of these sculptures, traditional techniques serve as a starting point for a more innovative and contemporary presentation, 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 very meaningful gifts.