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Seated Madonna with Sleeping Child
Released early 1950's
Design number 223
This Madonna is listed in the earliest records found from the studio. As design number 223, her official name is Seated Madonna with Sleeping Child. So far, five variations have been documented. The black and white marketing photo used in promo material sent to retailers shows this Madonna attached to a brass base. Her blouse is dark with a symmetrical pattern. In keeping with the studio's overuse of lace and applied floral adornments, this sculpture is heavy with gold trimmed lace edging, ruffled lace and floral bouquets on her skirt. The baby Jesus is cradled in a bed of roses and leaves.
The amount of time it took to complete each copy had to have forced the studio to rethink the design quickly. Remember, while Cybis was becoming an "Art Studio" during the early 1950's, it was still a business focused on turning a profit. The wholesale price in 1954 was $4.00. (Retailers are thought to have sold it for around $8.00.) This piece was a money loser from the start. The studio's records reveal in the early 1950's the average employee was paid $1.40 per hour. If it took an average of three to four hours of manpower to create and complete this sculpture (start to finish) plus the cost of materials and electricity to run the kilns, one can easily see it was simple math that drove the design of this sculpture through the variations seen below.
Earliest known example-Early 1950's
Design number 223
This Madonna was designed using a mold purchased from Holland Mold Company in Trenton. It consisted of two parts, Mary and Jesus. As a simple design it could be created quickly. The studio customized this sculpture to an extreme, as was done with many of the early designs.
Holland would later update the original design with greater detail to her hands with separated fingers cradling the baby. Cybis never purchased the updated design. All Cybis sculptures will be found with the hands molded as shown here. Because Holland sold this mold to everyone over the years, it is not uncommon to find the basic form made in plaster, brass and an endless variety of ceramic hobbyist designs. Many tried to copy the early Cybis sculptures.
Approximately 9" tall on base
Approximately 9" tall on base
Seated Madonna variations
Second release with blue dress
This version is likely the first redesign of this sculpture. Sporting randomly attached floral adornments and lace with gold trim this color variation holds onto its Cordey styling produced through the 1940's and into the early 1950's.
Design number 223
In this redesign, gone was the brass base, darker color scheme and thicker bouquets. However, the unnatural floral bed the babe rests in would not be replaced with the lace blanket until later. Many of these early copies will be stamped "Cybis Fine China".
Measures 7 3/4" tall
The back of the sculpture was a simple design. It is likely the first sculpture released also had an undecorated backside but until one is found, that cannot be said with certainty.
Third release
The next redesign was elegant and simplified while retaining a Cordey influence.
Design number 223
The evolutionary process continued through to this redesign. The ruffled lace blanket the Christ Child lays on was flattened out. The hand-formed leaves are reduced in number in favor of painted replacements. Also a single stripe of Old Coin Gold decoration as a border replaces the edged lace with gold around the hem of her skirt.
Measures 7 3/4" to 8 1/4" tall
Here it can be observed how three of the same sculptures can vary in size by a half inch. All measurements stated by the studio were meant to be understood as approximate sizes. While attempts were made to replace molds after a set number of castings, some molds "stretched" faster than others (due to repeated use) resulting in the size differences observed here.
Fourth release or unique test item
Design number 223
This white glazed copy with blue accents is reminiscent of the Cypia white glazed sculptures with brown accents (shown next). The only other item similar to this color variation is the Our Lady of Grace Holy Water Font. No Old Coin Gold accents were applied to this piece. Note how the lace is laid flat for a veil and not ruffled.
It is possible this was a test piece or one of a kind produced for a special event. It was sold in Poland at auction as a Cybis item. It is a real possibility it was sent by Boleslaw or Marja as a gift to family or friends in Poland. The auction house said it measured 21cm. That would be 8 1/4".
Measures 8 1/4" tall
Early Cypia items appeared to be plain white with brown "Sepia" toned accents with a top coat of glaze.
Final release
Like many other items from the Biblical/Religious collection of the 1950's, the final redesign of this sculpture saw the lace and flowers replaced with a stylish halo. The color scheme was reversed from the first version where her dress was blue and veil was white. Now her veil is blue and while her dress is white it also has a minimal, yet elegant, floral print.
The exact pricing as well as the issue and retirement dates for these pieces are not yet known.
Design number unknown
When major overhauls were undertaken with redesigns, the studio generally issued a new design number. That would have been the case with this piece. Until one is located with the number on it, or a pricelist from the late 1950's is found, that number will remain unknown.
The halo above Mary's head is one of five known halo variations introduced in the mid 1950's for use on many of the religious sculptures.
Mearures 9" tall
