Porcelain water nymph - Sibania

Porcelain figurine of Najada, water nymph. She wears a light, white tulle dress that resembles sea foam. She sits sideways on a turquoise wave. Her blue hair is styled in a bun.

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 Vicenza Province (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 process called “third fire.” Additional details, such as violin strings or stands, are added at this stage to the finished piece.

The highest quality porcelain combined with hand craftsmanship and distinctive designs define the Sibania brand. It is a tribute to true craftsmanship, 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 the tradition of artisan workshops underpin 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 handcrafted techniques and Italian craftsmanship as benchmarks.

The manufactory places great importance on the evolving tradition of the artisan workshop, with precise material research, and one of their goals is continuous product innovation with a focus on 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 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, they continuously draw on the productive finishing and decorating techniques learned from Capodimonte; on the other, they introduce new stylistic and technical methods. The unique and specific techniques used by Sibania, along with the widespread 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 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. 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 very meaningful gifts.