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Other Decorative Items - Page under construction
Cybis Decorative Items
Lidded Boxes
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Heart Boxes
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Eggs & Bells
Eggs & Bells
Cybis Display-Name Plaques
1950's Dealer/Display plaque
This scroll style plaque was also used as a "blank" for the prayer plaques. It is known the studio recycled this piece, design #296, for additional purposes. Hand painted using Old Coin Gold-24K liquid gold paint, the script reads, "Cybis fine china". The exact issue date and pricing are unknown. It is quite possible it was available only to retailers for in-store marketing. The scroll plaque made from fine china, is 3 3/4" tall.
1960's Dealer/Display plaque
By the 1960's, collectors were becoming sophisticated and wanted display plaques to compliment private collections. The studio recognized this and made them more widely available. It is uncertain when in the 1960's this model was introduced. The design number and pricing details are yet to be discovered. Measuring 4" tall the white porcelain "Cybis" script is underlined with a banner incised with "PORCELAIN ART".
1970's Collector's plaque
The studio completely revised the display plaque by the mid 1970's. Maintaining the wedge design but now made entirely from porcelain, the new plaque featured the also newly redesigned Cybis phoenix. Measuring 3 1/2" tall, the new plaque was first listed on the Spring 1975 price list under CYBIS Accessories as design number 800. It was available in white only and priced at $25.
Early 1980's Collector's plaque
Introduced in 1980 and marketed as part of the Cybis 40th Anniversary celebration, the display plaque was again redesigned with the studio's most recent logo. The phoenix was updated to a vertical position. This new design resulted in what appeared to be a taller plaque. This optical illusion was due to a narrower width. The height was still 3 1/2" tall. Regardless, the studio was promoting a 40th Anniversary. Technically, the first cold cast Papka sculptures produced by Boleslaw were in 1940. (He arrived in the U.S. in 1939 but didn't begin selling sculptures until 1940.) He made wares from fine china during the 1940's. With an incorporation date of 1953 for Cybis, the 40th Anniversary of the studio would not be until 1993, but this was a point of no concern to admiring collectors. The plaque was sold in Parian white only for $25.
Mid 1980's Collector's plaque-Old Coin Gold with satin gold accents
In 1982 the studio designed another new display plaque with styling reminiscent of many Cordey china pieces sold during the 1940's. The style was referred to as Cybis in Retrospect. This was a complete reversal from all attempts previously made to distance the Cybis Studio from the Cordey China Company. While Cybis regularly touted itself as "America's Oldest Surviving Porcelain Studio" to have maintained continuous production, it had not been legally established as "Cybis Inc." until 1953. It would seem an effort to control the narrative around the studio's official age was being manipulated with a sudden embrace of a past previously shunned (which belonged to Cordey). It measures 3 1/2" tall at its peak. The retail price was $40 in 1982 but went to $100 by 1990.
1980's plaque with satin gold accents
A further attempt to shore up the studio's "refreshed" historical timeline was included on the back of the display plaque. It was inscribed with the following statement: Cybis Porcelain Studio established in 1940 by renown artist Boleslaw Cybis continues to maintain its traditional artistry in Trenton, NJ USA. While Boleslaw began producing Papka figures in 1940 and later entered into a business partnership with two Philadelphia investors to start Cordey China Company in 1942, the Cybis studio was not incorporated until 1953. It did not fully shift from production in fine china to porcelain until 1957.
The studio failed to catch the typo on the word "renown" which should have been "renowned". This was corrected on later pieces.
1980's plaque in Parian and Stained Glass white
The bisque (Parian white) was introduced by 1990 at a price of $50.
Display plaque in satin gold
While the first release of this plaque was in Old Coin Gold decoration painted with 24K liquid gold, later versions were released decorated with gold paint which created a satin finish. By the early 1990's it was also offered in color at $75.
Cybis Collector's Society plaque
Cybis Collector's Society plaque
This small 2 1/2" display plaque was available to members of the Cybis Collector's Society.
Candlesticks/Holders
1950's Single Candlesticks
Introduced and sold as a set, the candlesticks were introduced in the early 1950's and retired before 1960. Strongly reflecting the Cordey style, this set was produced during the Cordey era and if not marked Cybis would be easily mistaken as Cordey items.
Pricing information is unavailable.
Design numbers unknown
The studio used a single mold to create a set. Normally, two of the same items are considered a pair when identical and sold together. The studio placed floral decorations on opposite sides creating a left and right candlestick. As can be seen above, the candlestick's sockets are not closed.
Measures 3 3/4" tall
This set may have had a complimentary trinket box, tray or other items that may have been part of a larger set. Owners burning candles in these holders should use a bobeche to prevent melting wax from running down through the open socket and filling the hollow units.
1950's Angel Candlesticks
Introduced in the early 1950's and retired by 1956 the two were sold as a set. Made from molds from the Holland Mold company hobbyist copies are periodically found.
No pricing data is currently available. Perhaps specific release and retirement dates and pricing for these along with other 1950's items will eventually be uncovered. But for now the general time frame of production is all that is known.
Produced in Stained Glass color (as shown) and likely also in glazed white. This set was retired prior to the release of the mid 1950's merchant's wholesale pricelist as the numbers 239 & 240 were not included.
Design numbers 239 & 240
Variations in the base color and gold trim on hem of angel's robe are known. Also the star over her head has a double line of gold while others are single.
Left angel above is design number 239 while the angel on the right is 240.
Measures 8 3/4" tall
As with any decorative arts piece, if the owner should decide to use it for the designed purpose, extra care should be taken to avoid damage. Any candlestick should only be used with a bobeche or candle cup insert to prevent wax from dripping on the candlestick. Since these were sold as household decorative items meant for normal use, few have survived the last 65-70 years.
This set is also found on the Angels page of the Biblical / Religious section.
1980's Iris Single Candlesticks
Produced in Parian white and color the Iris Motif candlesticks were promoted as a pair but sold separately.
Issue / Completed Price
$125 $125 each - color
$95 $95 each - white
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Introduced as part of the short lived Heritage Collection, the candlesticks were part of the "accessories" group in the Iris Motif. A footed oval tray and vase were also available as part of the Iris Motif grouping.
Measures 4 1/2" tall each
Measures 4 1/2" tall each
The closed sockets are shallow compared to other candlesticks. Candles may require trimming to fit.
Lidded Jars
Rose Jar Released 1975
The Rose Jar was introduced as an open edition. It was closed just after two years in 1977.
Issue / Completed Price
$95 $95 - color
$75 $75 - white
Design number 815
It was offered only in Parian color and Parian white. No other options were available to collectors during the years the Rose Jar was in production.
Measures 5" tall
No design variations have been noted for the Rose Jar. Only minor color variations have been noted in how dark or how much color was used and can be attributed to the individual artist's style in decorating the piece.
Ginger Jar - Virginia Bluebells 1985
Design number 20846
No design or color variations are known to exist among production pieces.
Measures 6 1/4" tall
Ginger Jar - Pink Roses
Design number
The Ginger Jars were introduced as part of the Heritage Collection. By 1993 they were listed under "All occasion Gifts". Initially the Roses jar was taller than the Bluebells jar. Measurements given in the introductory brochure list them as 6" and 7" tall. All items found so far have been 1/4 to 3/4" taller than stated in the marketing material. Later price lists offered "varied color and glazed with gold" all priced at $145. When introduced the Bluebells vase was $145 and the Roses vase was $175. It appears the Roses vase was discontinued prior to 1993 with the smaller vase continuing in production with various colors and finishes.
Egg Vase with Eagle Released 1976
This lidded egg vase/jar was introduced as a limited item for the year 1976. It was made for the Bicentennial and retired at year end.
Issue / Completed Price
$110 $110
Design number 823
It would seem the naming of this item was not in line with what the piece actually is. The piece is clearly a lidded jar that "could" be used as a vase, in spite of its small size of just over 4" with the lid removed. The name Lidded Eagle Jar would have been closer to accurate. The "vase" sold quite well during the Bicentennial celebration and is easily found on the secondary market today.
Plates
Mother's Day Plate Released 1987
Introduced as a limited edition restricted to 2,500 copies, perhaps less than 50 were sold. The plate collecting craze from the 1960's and 70's had long since waned begging the question why Cybis would release a design such as this so late in the market cycle.
Issue / Completed Price
$275 $295 on the 1999 price list
Design number 868
Bas-relief was added to create the mother-daughter scene for this Spring 1987 release. The styling of their clothing, furniture and setting indicates another era. Perhaps this was a bit out of touch with collector's taste for the late 1980's. In terms of success, this item can only be rated as a failure. Long-term, that fact may benefit any collector holding one of these rarely seen pieces.
Cordey blank - Measures 8"
The studio recycled the blank used for this plate several times beginning with Cordey fine china items. This Cordey plate is found in many colors with various decals applied on the front and all marked "Hand Painted" on the back. The Cybis Mother's Day plate was the final appearance of this design.
The Holy Family Plate
Introduced as the 2nd Edition bas-relief plate The Holy Family debuted in 1989 as part of the Golden Anniversary Biblical Collection. However, the brochure listed it as part of the Special Occasion Gift Collection. Items produced in 1989 carried the 50th anniversary back stamp (applied that year only). The plate was released as an open edition. No marketing material found so far indicates which bas-relief plate was actually the 1st Edition.
Issue / Completed Price
$475 $597 (on the 1999 price list -likely a typo for $595)
Design number 20183
By 1993 it seems everything changed. The plate had two new design numbers, 20220 for a color version and 02225 for a version later noted as "embellished with gold". The color version was listed at $475 and the gold version was $25 less at $450. Also the plate's length increased to 11 1/2" from 11 1/4".
The decision to release this plate in the Special Occasion Gifts Collection seemed odd considering it was a Biblical theme. The studio must have recognized this item would not be embraced by the traditional buyers who purchased sculptures but may appeal to those same customers if presented as a gift giving option at Christmas.
Measures 11 1/4" x 9"
Only two secondary market sales are noted over the last 25 years. That seems to indicate this plate was not highly produced. As an open edition there is no way to even guess as to how many may have actually been made. But at such a high price point and at the end of the collector's plate craze this piece was likely sold in very minimal quantities. As most merchants had long since quit selling Cybis, the few copies created were likely purchased directly from the studio onsite or from the studio's online sales efforts.
Victorian Santa Plate
Introduced as an open edition.
Issue / Completed Price
$475 $595 on the 1999 price list
Design number 20873
Released in 1989 for Christmas, no marketing material has been found on this plate so far. With the Holy Family plate having been released earlier in the year as the 2nd edition it is probable this was the 3rd and likely final edition in the bas-relief group of products.
Just as the Mother's Day and Holy Family plates released earlier, the Victorian Santa plate had few sales and is virtually never seen on the secondary market.
No known color or design variations have been noted. This plate does have "Merry Christmas" embossed in gold on the blue ribbons at the top.
Vases
Mantle Vases 718L & 718R
This set of two vases was introduced around 1955. The design number 718 had the L & R designator on each to specify Left and Right. The cornucopia design had not been used before.
Issue / Completed Price
Pricing information is currently unavailable
Design numbers 718L & 718R
Heavily influenced by the Cordey style, the mantle vases were not produced for more than a couple of years and are considered to be very rare when found. The wide mouth design would have made these vases more practical for use as planters.
Measures
The set was likely retired when the Cybis line of products was revamped to remove the floral adornments which had been heavily used and closely identified as Cordey.
Bouquet Vase - Late 1950's
The transitional phase of the studio's shift to a modern style is evident in this vase which was likely introduced around 1959.
Design number unknown
This unique vase in the Stained Glass finish with Old Coin Gold free-style decorations has a pearl set in the middle of each design.
Measures 10" tall
The stamped Cybis signature was in use, primarily on printed material but found on some production items, from 1950 to 1960. While the stained glass and old coin gold finishes hearken back to the earlier 1950's, the overall design hints at things to come.
Floral Vase - Circa 1960
This vase with sculpted floral motifs demonstrates the studio's continued transition to matte finishes and a modern design. Likely released around 1960.
Design number unknown
Bas-relief had not utilized to any degree by Cybis for these types of decorative service items. This was a fresh design that gave the line a new progressive look.
Measures 11 1/2" tall
Measures 11 1/2" tall
The Cybis stamp was used to sign this piece also (as was shown on the previous vase). This raises the question if this stamp may have been used for all vases designed and sold during that time. Until additional vases of both the same and different designs are found to confirm, it looks like a strong possibility that this was the case.
Vase with Ribboned Doves
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Design number 20856
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Measures 6" tall
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Iris vase
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Design number
Vase shown with matching Iris Motif candlesticks.
Measures 9 1/2" tall
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Daisy vase
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Design number 20836
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Measures 5 1/2" tall
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Violet vase
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Design number
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