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With two figures attached to one base or two pieces marketed as a set, couples from the Cybis Studio were well represented.
Introduced as a limited edition restricted to 200 the edition was later increased to include an additional 25 copies for outside the continental U.S. Either production problems or lack of sales mandated a reduction of the declared issue because by 1989 the edition size was lowered to 150 with an additional 15 our outside the lower 48. Tristan and Isolde was not listed on the 1990 price list so the studio either received and completed all 165 orders or closed the edition.
Issue / Completed Price
$2,200 $2,975
While no design or color variations have been noted, what has been noted is that Isolde frequently is detached from the base. It would seem either too little bonding agent was used to attach her or it weakens over time and she comes loose. This piece is also found missing the golden goblet in Isolde's awkwardly positioned left hand.
Introduced as a limited edition restricted to 300 with an additional 30 available for distribution outside the continental U.S.A. The edition was completed in 1989.
It is not uncommon to see this couple badly damaged having been broken off the base.
Issue / Completed Price
$2,200 $3,275
While no design or color variations have been found among production models, one variation was noted among the studio's archives liquidated at auction in 2019. Juliet has a short pink ribbon on the front of her dress as opposed to the standard long blue one normally seen.
Introduced as a limited edition restricted to 100.
Issue / Completed Price
$8,750 $14,995 in 1999
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Introduced as limited editions restricted to 500 declared copies. That number (for each sculpture) was lowered by the spring of 1975 to 200 and the edition was listed as completed in 1978. Ironically copies numbered higher than 200 have been sold on the secondary market. Verified sculpture sets numbered 227, 246 and 358 have been documented. It is possible the studio made an error on the new declared edition number similarly to that made on Good Queen Anne.
Issue / Completed Price
$975 $1,125 Florimund
$975 $1,125 Aurora
The porcelain ribbons on Florimund's shoulders are often seen damaged.
The official titles used in the studio's catalogs were shown as, "Ballet Sculpture, The Enamoured Prince Florimund" and "Ballet Sculpture, The Enchanted Princess Aurora". However, published price lists did not use the words "Ballet Sculpture".
Note the angel on the top of the pedestal next to Florimund. This was an unexpected addition!
Introduced as a limited edition restricted to 25, the studio later announced it would also make three copies for availability outside the continental U.S. It is highly probable that fewer than half were made.
Issue / Completed Price
$25,000 $35,000 in 1999
Assigned to the Portraits in Porcelain collection, this couple was unidentified and unnamed. Many fairy tales incorporated the story of a chivalrous knight coming to the rescue of a distressed princess. The studio never indicated which, if any tale, this sculpture might represent.
As one of the largest sculptures the studio created, Knight in Shining Armor was a massive 21" tall by 18 1/2" wide
The Bride was introduced in the Fall of 1987 and the Bridegroom followed in the Spring of 1988. When released she was assigned to the new category, Wedding Collection. In 1988 that collection name was revised to Wedding, Anniversary, Romance Gift Collection. In 1989 it became the Special Occasion Gifts Collection. By 1990 it was the Special All Occasion Gifts Collection. In 1993 the final collection name was All Occasion Gifts - Anniversary/Wedding/Shower.
Issue / Completed Price
$1,500 $2,750 - Bride (in 1999 )
$1,650 $2,750 - Groom (in 1999)
In 1987 "The Bride" was released as a "Limited Edition" but no declared issue was stated. Then in 1988, her companion named "Bridegroom" was released, also as a "Limited Edition" with no declared issue. The brochure states he is the "Mate to the 50th Anniversary Bride in the Fall 1988 collection" to be released later that year. That statement implied The Bride was being revised for the studio's 50th anniversary in 1989. But no design or color variations were ever released. It would be 1990 before the studio released a declared edition size of The Bride. The October 1990 price list shows an edition size of 1,000. Over the years the name of this sculpture would change. Initially named The Bride, she was quickly renamed to Bride, 50th Anniversary and finally, Bride, Commemorative. Her design number remained 5051 through the various names and category reassignments. It's clear the studio made the name changes to avoid confusion with the Polish bride, released in 1980 as design number 4023. She also was named, The Bride. Realizing their faux pas, the name was quickly updated. Soon after introduction a blonde version was released with design number 5052. During the late 1990's a redhead was added and all three versions were shown as design 5052. The redhead version also utilized a different floral color scheme. No design variations have been found.
The Bridegroom was available for one year only as he did not appear on subsequent price lists until 1999. He was reintroduced as a companion to The Bride as a declared limited edition restricted to 1,000. Numerous variations exist for the Bridegroom. later renamed to Groom, 50th Anniversary and finally Bridegroom, Commemorative. At least one secondary market sale exists showing the groom without a pedestal attached to his right side. It is not known if this may have been an early prototype or possibly even a special order. The images from the back reveal no damage indicating a pedestal had been broken off or otherwise detached.
While this image shows the Bridegroom standing on his own two feet, this piece would have a stability issue without any doubt. The pedestal/column was added to create a wider base for the sculpture providing stability so it would not tip over as easily.
The original marketing photo shows ivy with flowers cascading downward from the vase's top.
Variations in the volume of cascading floral decorations appear excessive on some sculptures.
Other sculptures present minimal floral accents which draw more attention to the bride's flowers.
While The Bride was offered as a brunette, blonde and redhead, the Bridegroom has been documented with wider color variations. Three specific color themes have been documented from sales on the secondary market as well as the studio's auctions liquidating remaining archives. The groom has been found in both a white and black tuxedo. One additional tux color appears to be a beige or cream color. The boutonniere on his lapel is yellow which could indicate it was done to match the yellow color scheme of the flowers for the variation of the redheaded bride. All grooms found so far have been brunettes.
The Spring of 1988 saw another new category titled the Miniature Bridal Collection. This new bridal couple was actually smaller than many of the sculptures in the Children to Cherish collection. Initially dealers and collectors wondered if this piece was intended to be a wedding cake topper. While it was never specifically denied by the studio, marketing material did not state or imply the sculpture could be used to decorate a wedding cake.
Issue / Completed Price
$675 $795 in 1999
While this is a small sculpture that did not meet the expectations of most collectors, there are a few nice points worth noting. The bride's bouquet was executed in the typical Cybis style with roses, leaves and ribbons. The groom sports a single rose boutonniere and the bride has a double veil of lace attached to her hat. Additional roses were added to her hair. Without these customized "upgrades" this piece could easily pass for Lefton or Andrea, both of which were produced in Asia. The unfortunate decision to introduce such an item as a Cybis sculpture contributed to the negative perceptions among retailers and collectors alike who realized the quality of the studio's content was in serious decline. In what appeared to be a last ditch effort, Cybis began churning out smaller, lower priced items that never should have carried the Cybis name.
It is no surprise this less than impressive introduction came at a time when the studio began several cost improvement initiatives. Most notable is the fact this specific sculpture was premiered in the studio's first black and white brochure since 1973. The 1989 brochures saw a return to color but they were also the last and final folding brochures issued. A few single page color flyers were produced for 1990. Nothing beyond 1990 is available.
Introduced as open editions, the joggers were retired and closed in 1981. These two were not well received by collectors and only a few were produced.
Issue / Completed Price
$395 $395 Male
$345 $345 Female
Of all adult sculptures released, the joggers were the only pieces not depicting characters from literature or historical content. They depict contemporary people participating in a popular sport. The faces of these two sculptures were actually very realistic and well executed. Unfortunately, the hands and feet were not as well done. The number of orders from retailers indicated a problem. Even fewer were the number of collectors purchasing the sculptures from retailers. The studio quickly cut their losses and retired the Joggers, making only a few.
The studio introduced an entirely new category when the male jogger was released in 1979. The official name assigned was "Lance, The Jogger". The collection name was introduced as the "Leisure Collection" but was changed the next year to "Sports Scenes" with the next price list. This indicates the studio may have had other plans to introduce additional "sporting" sculptures had these done well. Lance's name was changed to "The Jogger, male" and when the female was introduced she was given no name, but titled "The Jogger, female."