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Children sculptures from Cybis
Depicting children in art is a practice as old as art itself. This was also the case at the Cybis studio. While the greatest volume of work produced in the early days did not focus widely on children, there were several examples and children as subject matter became increasingly popular as time passed by. Ultimately, sculptures of children were one of the largest collections in the Cybis portfolio. Possibly the first and a particularly endearing piece released from the Church Street studio was the Chinese Baby measuring 15" high. He is found marked Cordey but was likely released with color and minor design variations with the M.B.Cybis signature. Chinese Baby has his own section at the bottom of this page.
While there were numerous 1950's sculptures released depicting Christ as a child, both alone and with others, those won't be addressed in this section. All child sculptures of Christ are located under the Biblical/Religious tab in the navigation bar.
Early 1950's Children
The earliest child sculptures released by the Church Street studio (prior to the the Cybis studio becoming incorporated in 1953) were marked M.B. Cybis and/or Cordey. By the early 1950's children were being released with the Cybis signature. These are known to have been produced from molds acquired primarily from the Trenton mold company, Holland Mold. These molds were also purchased by other companies. Similar figurines can be found with various competitor's trademarks and logos, as rivals Boehm and Lenox often released their versions shortly after new Cybis introductions were available. The early 1950's children were made using china and will often be marked Cybis Fine China. After 1956 all children released by the studio were made using porcelain.
Late 1950's - Children to Cherish
With the shift away from sculptures produced using commercially purchased molds, the studio began producing porcelain art sculptures in a wide range of subject matter. Children from the late 1950's forward were individually designed by or for Cybis. Gone were the Cypia and Stained Glass finishes as Cybis children would only be available in color or white Parian porcelain. These new designs took on a softer, more innocent look that became the endearing pieces which were often the foundation of many collections.
At the time of the first introductions of Wendy and Thumbelina in 1957, the studio did not have specific categories or collections. These two were simply sold as open editions. With the introduction of collection names for various groups (such as children, animals and religious pieces), the earliest category name for the kids was Storybook Characters. By 1973 the collection name was changed to Children to Cherish, which was used until the studio closed in the early 2000's. Not all children produced over the years were part of the Children to Cherish collection. Little Miss Liberty was assigned to the Commemorative collection and David Shepherd Boy was assigned to the Biblical collection. These are examples where children were placed in other categories based on subject content.
Early 1950's Cybis Children
Tots in Angel costumes - set
These three tikes all wore angel costumes and were adorned with floral decorations and Old Coin Gold accents. Likely sold individually the three make a perfect set. Design numbers are 264 (laying on tummy), 265 (reclining) and 363 (kneeling). Produced early 1950's and retired by late 1950's.
Blue Boy and Pinkie in Cypia finish
Measuring 17" tall and attached to lamp bases, these were likely items produced as decorative attachments to lamps when the studio produced custom lamps. Design numbers unknown.
Choir Boy and Girl
Introduced in the early 1950's the Choir Boy, design number 257 and Choir Girl, either 256 or 258 may be part of a larger set as Holland Mold was known to have produced at least six different children in this group.
Girl in hoop skirt in Cypia finish
This piece was also a Holland Mold item which is known to have had a counterpart. Whether Cybis produced the "sister" piece or not is yet to be discovered. She measures 7" tall and likely may be found in the typical Stained Glass finish as well.
Early 1950's children
Blue Boy in "Blue"
Measuring 11" tall this porcelain sculpture was found attached to a brass lamp stand from the Cybis custom lamp collection.
Late 1950's - Children to Cherish
Wendy
Introduced in 1957 as design number 433 Wendy had an issue price of $35.00. Wendy is 6 1/2" tall. Available only in color, there are design variations found relating to the doll's face and clothes, Wendy's ribbon around her waist, decorations around her collar and arms, shape of her pigtails and color of her hair. Wendy's design would be used for similar pieces with other variations, each having it's own design number and in some cases introduced as a limited and numbered edition.
Peter Pan
The first boy introduced was Peter Pan in 1958. Released as design number 430 he was available in both white and color. He measures 7 1/2" tall. His issue price was $65 for white and $70 for color. There are no known design variations that made it into production and only minor color variations are noted.
Thumbelina
First Flight
Also introduced in 1957, Thumbelina was issued as design number 434 with an issue price of $25. Possibly the smallest of all children released, Thumbelina was only 4" tall. She was redesigned with a print in the hem of her dress and slight modifications to her hair.
First Flight
First Flight
First Flight was introduced in 1959 as design number 410 with an issue price of $20. Older publications state her release date was 1959 but newer catalogs show her as released in 1966. Her low design number would indicate 1959 is correct over the later 1966 date, but even 1959 may be too late. Being number 410 could indicate she was possibly the first child released in 1957. That is speculation considering some items had design numbers assigned and then were in development for longer periods of time. In some cases the release was delayed. Older sculptures have blonde hair and a pink bow while newer versions have dark hair and a blue bow. Older pieces are also found on taller wooden bases. A small piece, First Flight measures 4 1/2" tall on the base.
Late 1950's children in matte finish
This entire group could have been purchased for $215.00 in 1959.
Tinkerbell
Released as design number 437 in 1959, Tinkerbell was the final release of the decade for Cybis children. As stated earlier, sculptures initially were released in only two categories, Limited Editions and Open Editions. Tinkerbell was not a child but rather a Fairy. However, due to her storybook nature, Cybis assigned her to the Children's group when categories were introduced. She measures 7 1/2" tall. Available in both Parian white and color. Her issue price was $50 for white and $65 for color. While color variations have been noted, no design variations are known to exist.
Wendy
Released in 1957 as design 433
Wendy is one of the first (of two) children sculptures created in porcelain by Cybis for release in 1957. Previous child figures sold by the studio were made of fine china from commercial molds purchased locally in Trenton. Wendy had many design and color variations over the years. Her basic mold and color scheme was modified to create several new designs. These new "Wendys" were given new names and design numbers but were not sold as part of the regular Cybis product line. They were most often available in limited quantities and offered for sale only during special Cybis events. Event pieces aside, Wendy as design 433 is identified as having the most design and color variations of any Cybis sculpture. This is only logical considering she was in the Cybis product line for 25 consecutive years.
Finishes
Produced in color only
Issue Price / Completed Price
Color $35 $225 in 1982
Retired 1982
The marketing picture shown is the earliest available photograph showing the original Wendy. Design variations over the years include changes to the ribbons from her waist and position and design of her pigtails. Color variations exist relating to how her collar, sleeves and sash around her waist were decorated and the obvious removal of the doll's eyebrows.
Measures 6 1/2" tall
Show above is the standard version most often found as issued from the late 1960's forward. Here Wendy is a blonde. Her sash is painted a solid pink. the ribbon has been molded into her dress with a single loop of ribbon at the top. Her dress has no decorations around the collar or arms. Her doll has no eyebrows but does have the buttons on it's blouse. Generally, three buttons are found on the front of the doll, but four have been noted on a few examples.
Older brunette versions
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Details on ribbon and sash
In the earliest versions her sash around her waist was painted a solid pink. The ribbon on some was bunched and looped. Later models changed the mold to add ribbon to the body so it was not necessary to apply more than the small loop during the assembly of the sculpture. No example where painted decoration on her collar or at the arms (as shown in the early photographs) has been found. That indicates those changes were likely made prior to her release in 1957.
Variations on the doll
The doll's face was simplified to two dots for eyes, a dot for the nose and a curved line for the mouth. Older versions had eyes with painted eyelids and eyebrows. The nose varied from a short line to two dots and the doll's blouse may or may not have buttons on the front.
Betsy Bobbin issued 1982
Betsy Bobbin issued 1982
Offered as an event only piece, Betsy Bobbin was Wendy in green with added floral decorations. She was offered as a limited, numbered edition. The doll was replaced with a small spray of flowers.
Wendy in Blue
Betsy Bobbin issued 1982
Also offered as an item available for purchase only at special Cybis events, this Wendy in Blue was a restricted unnumbered edition produced only for the events held with specific Cybis dealers. There were no design changes for this piece, but Wendy's entire color scheme was changed to blue, as was the dolls.
Wendy in Apricot
Another event sculpture presents Wendy in Apricot. This was also a restricted, unnumbered edition only available for purchase during an event. Here Wendy's color was changed to a light tan with peachy-orange highlights matching the flowers in her left hand which replaced the doll.
Easter Wendy in Purple
This unverified Wendy sold at an Arizona auction several years ago. While it may have been yet another event offering it could have been an item purchased from the studio's archives. Since this design has her in purple, holding a chick in one hand and basket in the other it seems likely this could have been created as an Easter piece.
Wendy variations
Wendy variations
There are many variations known to exist in the standard Wendy. Several combinations of ribbon design, hair color and decorations on the doll have been noted making it hard to state they were all variations. In many cases these "variations" must be attributed to individual artist's creativity (or lack of conformity to following the Artist's Proof). These minor issues can be considered unintentional and not standard variations.
As shown above, Wendy's mold was used in the creation of Betsy Bobbin, Wendy in blue and Wendy in Apricot. Rumors abound of additional "Wendy" introductions which are likely true as the Easter Wendy variant seems to support. This variation with Wendy's pigtails pulled up is quite different, but until another copy turns up it should be considered a test piece never entered for production.
Peter Pan
Released in 1958 as design 430
Retired in 1967-white, 1970-color
Retired in 1967-white, 1970-color
The early marketing photo would appear to be the same as the design used in production. The only noted variation is in the flute Peter Pan is holding, as detailed below. Only minor color variations have been found and are likely due to individual artist's techniques.
Finishes
Can be found in:
- Parian color bisque
- Parian white bisque
Issue Price / Completed Price
Color $75 $80 in 1970
White $60 $60 in 1967
Retired in 1967-white, 1970-color
Retired in 1967-white, 1970-color
Retired in 1967-white, 1970-color
As stated previously, Peter Pan was the first boy introduced as a Cybis sculpture in porcelain. Minor color variations exist where Peter Pan's "suite of leaves" is darker on some copies.
Measures 7 1/2" tall
Retired in 1967-white, 1970-color
Common areas of damage on Peter Pan are chips to the feather in his cap (if not broken off entirely). damage to his fingers and flute. Copies have actually appeared on the secondary market where his flute was missing.
Detail on flute from original design
The original flute design appeared to be a hollow tube with three air holes on the end. The actual production piece was solid with notches in the flute to depict air holes. This change to the design would have allowed for easier and faster production.
Detail on flute from production piece
The flute design is clear on the white copy as opposed to the color version. Air holes extend the full length of the flute as shown above.
Parian white next to color
Thumbelina
Released in 1957 as design 434
Thumbelina and Wendy were the first two porcelain sculptures of children the studio introduced. Early photos indicate Thumbelina was released with no design variations.
Finishes
Produced in color only
Issue Price / Completed Price
Color $25 $45 in 1972
Retired 1972
There was one design variation introduced during production. From the number of items having been sold on the secondary market, the variation appears to have been introduced midway through Thumbelina's production cycle, About half are the earlier style and half are the newer version. Thumbelina's mold was later used to create an event piece in which a book was added to her lap.
While the redesign incorporated minor updates to her face and hair, most notably, the scalloped edge was added to the hem of her skirt.
Measures 4" tall
At only 4" tall this is one of the smallest sculptures introduced as a porcelain sculpture of a child. Among the early child introductions, only First Flight was smaller, but having been mounted on a wooden base, her overall measurement increased to 4 1/2" tall making her slightly tall than Thumbelina.
Variations between models
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First Flight / First Bouquet
Released in 1959 as design 410
Errors in later Cybis publications incorrectly show the release date as 1966. This is known to be wrong as First Flight is listed in earlier price lists and in the Cybis in Retrospect catalog as having been introduced in 1959.
Finishes
Produced in color only
Issue Price / Completed Price
Color $20 $50 in 1973
Retired in 1973
Early copies of First Flight are found mounted on taller wooden bases. While no intentional design variations are noted, older models seem to have greater detail, specifically to the braids of her hair. This could have been changed with the update to her color scheme, which was done soon after release. Very few in the old style have been found. Her colors changed from light blonde hair with pink ribbons to darker hair with blue ribbons. The detail to her braids may simply be from continued use of the same mold which deteriorated with use providing less detail to each copy.
Measures 4 1/2" tall
Early models were mounted on taller bases with an overall height of 4 3/4" tall as shown above. Without the base, First Flight would be just a little over 3 3/4" tall.
First Bouquet
This event piece, issued in the mid 1970's, used First Flight's mold but substituted a small bouquet of flowers for the bird. Her hair ribbon was changed back to pink. As with most early event pieces, First Flight was not a numbered edition.
First Flight showing variations
When compared from behind, the variations between the braids and ribbon colors are very evident. Even the lines in her foot are more detailed on the earlier version.
First Flight and First Bouquet
Older variation on left, newer variation in the middle and First Bouquet on the right.
Tinkerbell
Released in 1959 as design 437
The early marketing photos of Tinkerbell show her dress in color. The leaves forming her skirt appear darker as is her neckline. This color variation has only minor differences when compared to the production piece in dark purple. In the photo above she appears to be blonde.
Finishes
Can be found in:
- Parian color bisque
- Parian white bisque
Issue Price / Completed Price
Color $65 $80 in 1970
White $50 $50 in 1965
Retired in 1965-white, 1970-color
The only design variation appears to have been on the stem of the leaf, which was reduced in size for the production piece. However, several color variations have been noted. The first release had a purple/pink dress.
Measures 7 1/2" tall
Tinkerbell's wings were outlined in dark blue. Also noted is the darker hair color. All copies seen with the purple dress have had darker hair. The third variation has Tinkerbell wearing an all white dress as shown below. Hair color can vary significantly from very light to dark brown. This color variation also lost the outlined wings opting for a light blue tone.
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Chinese Baby circa 1945
Design Number 8020
Design Number 8020
Chinese Baby dates from the mid 1940's and was offered in two versions. Design number 8020 is as pictured wearing a hat. Design number 8020A was the same seated baby but without the hat.
Design Number 8020
Photo taken from the Cordey salesman's catalog circa late 1940's to early 1950's.
Measures 14 1/21" tall without base
Close up showing flowers and lace.
