Madonna-House of Gold

About the House of Gold

House of Gold History

While Cybis rarely acknowledged the sculptor who created a particular work, a few were actually published while others became known through various channels. The Madonna House of Gold was a sculpture created by a freelance artist, who in turn sold it to Boleslaw Cybis. Cybis modified it and put it into production as a Cordey china sculpture. The exact date Boleslaw acquired the sculpture is not known, but the artist who created it is known. Harry Burger was a talented sculptor who created and sold his designs to various studios. The picture of him below is from 1959, during an event for Lenox China, as it is marked, "Photo taken by Frank J. Langer, Advertising Department-Lenox, Trenton, NJ". Burger obviously created the Madonna well before 1953, as it was entered into the Cordey product line before Cybis began promoting "Religious Art Pieces". Some Biblical/Religious sculptures marked Cybis were released as early as 1947 (six years before Cybis was incorporated). It seems odd this Madonna was released as a Cordey product, as opposed to a Cybis product. Therefore, it's possible it was created by Burger and sold to Cybis as early as 1947. The underside of the base was incised with the Cordey signature and design number 4149. It was heavily modified to look like other Cordey items with thick lace, gold trim and attached roses. There is no doubt this piece continued in production during the time Cordey and Cybis were produced in tandem at the Church Street studio, as the example in the picture here is dual marked with both the Cordey and Cybis marks. This is a clear indication the Madonna was being transitioned to the Cybis product line as Cordey was being phased out.

The name, "Madonna House of Gold", is the name assigned to the piece as a Cybis sculpture. Studio literature indicates the Madonna was released in 1957. The studio went through a transitional phase in 1957 moving from the use of china to the use of porcelain in casting all sculptures. The introduction date should not be taken as the date the molds for this Madonna were first used, but rather the date the Cybis studio released this mold in the "House of Gold" design as a Cybis porcelain product. In 1957 it was likely the Madonna transitioned to porcelain, was mounted on a walnut base and given the new name "House of Gold". Subsequently, the design was again revised adding the crown, as later pieces are all found to have.

The Madonna House of Gold has one of the most intriguing histories of all Cybis sculptures. It is one of only a few identified to have been produced as both a Cordey china sculpture and as a Cybis porcelain sculpture. It is known to have at least ten (10) variations and possibly more. One last item to note is Cordey china sculptures are generally much heavier than the Cybis porcelain sculptures. China has a dense composition which makes it heavier than porcelain. Because the majority of Cybis pieces were issued attached to the walnut base, the actual weight of the porcelain is difficult to determine. Cybis porcelain pieces not originally on a base (or items having been removed from a base) are noticeably lighter.

Harry Burger at a Lenox event in 1959

Burger's Madonna with incised Cordey mark prior to 1957

House of Gold Madonna

Released by Cybis in 1957 as design number 2503

Sold as an open edition, it was retired from production in 1965. It was one of the few items originally introduced as a Cordey sculpture and later carried over to the Cybis line prior to Cordey production ending. It has been found marked as Cordey (with the incised Cordey signature and or blue Cordey stamp), dual marked with both Cordey (incised) and Cybis (stamp) or hand signed Cybis only.

Finishes

Cordey china marked items are found with the addition of lace and floral accents. Cybis porcelain items were produced in:

Stained Glass-color and white
Cypia and Stained Glass with Old Coin Gold as a Primary
Parian white and color also with Old Coin Gold accents

Cybis sculptures are found both with and without the attached walnut base, which like the crown, was a later addition.

Issue Price / Completed Price

White $75 $100

Color $125 $125

1958-1959 version

First example on the wooden base

This early copy was likely from the late 1950's. The first clue is it sits on a base. After transitioning this sculpture from the Cordey China line to the Cybis Porcelain line, the lace and rose adornments were removed. Examples in Stained Glass color have been found sporting the refined "cleaner" look. The next rendition appears to have added the dove on Mary's knee and the obvious addition of the wooden base. The final version would lose the dove while Mary gained a crown.

Cybis catalogs and brochures state:

"The Old Testament speaks of King Solomon's Temple as "The House of Gold." The Madonna is designated as the living temple of the world's greatest treasure."

This unique variation, where 24 karat liquid gold was applied to the exposed skin surfaces, was available in the late 1950's. Old Coin Gold as a primary decoration was expensive and produced in minimal numbers. Old Coin Gold sculptures were considered the "top of the line" of the Religious Art collection. Hailed as one of the studio's greatest designs issued in the Religious Art category from the 1950's, House of Gold in Old Coin Gold is a truly rare sculpture and prized by any collector fortunate enough to own one.

Variations in the Old Coin Gold sculptures

Two sculptures of the same design show how the production life cycle often evolved.

During the production process it was frequently necessary to modify sculptures. This usually happened after several copies had been sold. Problems in production, firing, packing and shipping dictated such changes. Here we see a minimal color variation where the newer piece on the left has less gold accenting around the base. This could have been an artist's oversight or a cost saving decision as 24k gold liquid paint was used in this process. We also see the bottom of the base was changed to accommodate a different way of attaching the porcelain to the wooden base. Both utilized toggle bolts to attach the sculpture to the base.

Showing detail in gold accents.

Variation in bottom of bases.

House of Gold - Parian white

Parian White (bisque)

As one of the later editions, this all white bisque copy has the crown and is mounted on a walnut base. The House of Gold Madonna was offered in several finishes, with a number of documented variations through the 50's and 60's. As spectacular as the color variations are, the all white Parian porcelain sculpture on the walnut base, showcases the translucent brilliance of the Parian bisque. The soft lines and subtle features of this piece bring the sculpture to life in a unique way, as anyone beholding the Mother and Child see new detail often hidden by color.

Displayed with other variants, this piece, while soft and muted, takes on a pureness Cybis enthusiasts embrace when collecting or adding the all white Parian sculptures to a collection. Whether displayed alone, with other Parian white pieces or among other decorated items, this House of Gold commands attention.

While the cost to acquire an all white Parian sculpture was less than a sculpture in one of the other finishes, the workmanship noted on white copies is without flaw. The studio went to great lengths to ensure quality control measures were adhered to and enforced on every item. However, with the all white Parian copies extra care was given to ensure perfection, as non-painted surfaces had to be perfect. A buyer purchasing an all white Parian sculpture received the best craftsmanship Cybis offered.

Madonna 5 1/2"

Design number 2152 - color

While the House of Gold Madonna was retired in 1965, just three years later she was resurrected, or perhaps, decapitated and reintroduced simply as Madonna 5 1/2" under the design number 2152. She was released in 1968 in color only and attached to a wooden base. Minor adjustments were made to her hair and veil in absence of the crown. This sculpture reflects simple elegance with subtle color and shades of blue complimenting the veil draped over her shoulder.

Design number 2152 - white

The following year, 1969, Madonna 5 1/2" was released in Parian white, also attached to a wooden base.

Variation

The only variation to Madonna 5 1/2" was a color variation introduced soon after her release in 1968. Very few of the early versions are found and when available, collectors waste no time in acquiring them. The second and widely found variation had the blue shading removed from the veil over her shoulder. Most noticeable was the addition of the heavy eye liner not present in the first version.

Short production cycle

The color version was retired in 1969 and the white version in 1970. Each had approximately one year of production, yet this sculpture is almost always available on the secondary market. The initial introductory price was the same for both white and color and was never increased during production.

Issue / Completed Price

$35 $35 color

$35 $35 white

Not the end of the story...

This Madonna had been a sculpture of significant prominence in the Cybis line since the mold was first introduced as a Cordey sculpture (as early as 1947). To reinforce that fact, she was selected for reintroduction once again. This time, as part of the commemorative offering in the Golden Anniversary Biblical Collection, she would carry a special back stamp in 1989 for one year only as part of the 50th Anniversary celebration. Her official title on the 1989 brochure was "Madonna 5 1/2" (embellished with gold)".

50th Year - Golden Anniversary Biblical Collection

Items selected for the 50th Anniversary celebration of the studio's continuous operation (since Boleslaw Cybis first produced art in the United States) carried the golden back stamp noting Cybis as America's Oldest Porcelain Art Studio.

Madonna 5 1/2" - Design number 20187

The color and white Parian versions on wooden bases are shown with the final edition. For the final version, her eyes were open. Her hair is closer to a shade of blonde as opposed to light brown. The subtle gold accents compliment the flow of her veil. Design 20187 would continue in the product line through the 1999 price list. However, in one last twist, as fate would have it, by 1993 the studio also offered her in Parian white as design number 02223. (Not 20223, but 02223. It appeared on each list going forward as 02223 through 1999.) No example of the white 02223 has been found to date. It is reasonable to assume she would look like the 1969 introduction with no base.