The extremely popular unicorn collecting genre was not overlooked by Cybis, and in fact they did a rather nice job of it, too. That other fantasy equine, Pegasus, was not neglected but let’s take a look at the Cybis unicorns first.
Unicorns
The first mention of Cybis unicorns occurs in the 1970 museum exhibit catalog Cybis in Retrospect, which lists three under the section heading ‘Folklore Animals’: a Black Unicorn, glazed, 9″ high; a White Unicorn, also glazed, 8″ high; and a Unicorn in ‘stained glass’ glazed decoration, 8″ high. All three were on display but not pictured in the catalog, and all dated circa 1942-1945.
The modern studio’s first depiction of this magical beast was named simply Unicorn and is 15” tall. Introduced in 1969 as a limited edition of 500 priced at $1250, it sold out completely by 1974 at a final retail price of $1450. It was designed by Lynn Klockner Brown.
Next came the Unicorns ‘Gambol and Frolic’, in a smaller scale at 8.5” high. This limited edition of 1000 sold out in only three years (1977–1979) and closed at $450. Designed by Susan Eaton.
Designed by Lynn Klockner Brown, the regal Unicorn Head ‘Prince Brocade’ appeared in 1981 and is 14.5” high. A completed edition of 500, it debuted at $2200.
The first open (non limited) Cybis unicorn was Sir Bailey who is 4.5” high. Introduced in 1982 at $365, he was designed by Susan Eaton who also designed more than twenty different unicorns for Lenox. In 1993 Sir Bailey was $475.
This holiday variation named Mistletoe has a wreath of (what else?) mistletoe around his horn instead of the usual flowers, and his collar is decorated in a red/green colorway. He was a retail edition introduced sometime between 1988 and 1990.
This variation debuted on the 1988 Cybis price list as ‘Tender Feelings’ (Unicorn) within the ‘Sweetheart Collection’, for $450. It was retired in either late 1996 or early 1997. It differs from Mistletoe in the collar decoration (there is no gold trim) and the wreath around his horn which appears to be pink and trimmed in tiny hearts. There is also a jewel-like adornment on his forehead that does not appear on either the standard or holiday version.
Back to the limited editions with the Carousel Unicorn in 1985. A limited edition of 325 priced at $1275 initially, by 1988 he cost $2050. He is just a bit over 13” high including the base. Designed by Susan Eaton. (The other Cybis carousel equines can be seen here.)
The following year (1986) saw the introduction of The Lady and The Unicorn, a limited edition of 750 which is 10.25” high. he introduction price was $1200 which in only two years rose to $1450. In 1993 the Cybis price was $1975. This was designed by Lynn Brown. The photos above show the standard retail edition coloration which is in shades of green, reddish brown and beige. The lady herself was subsequently issued in the late 1990s as a stand-alone limited edition named Lady Elizabeth (who has her own Archive post.)
This is a special Lady and The Unicorn decorated in custom pastel colors. Only one exists in this colorway.
The final Cybis unicorn sculpture was another nonlimited edition by Susan Eaton. Lord Bentley, introduced in 1987 at $495, is described by Cybis as being the “companion to Sir Bailey” which was the only other nonlimited unicorn. In 1993 Lord Bentley was $595 and was also offered as a pair with his friend Sir Bailey ($475) for $1075; the offer was discontinued thereafter. He is 6.5” tall. By the way, Lord Bentley has a secret; read The Cybis Horses to find out what it is!
Although there were no further unicorn sculptures, Cybis did issue a Unicorn Plaque in 1990 for $150. It is 4” high x 3.25” wide.
Pegasi
Four winged horses are mentioned in Cybis in Retrospect, two of which were on display in 1970 but not pictured. One was a mid-1940s Winged Horse (8″ high, glazed porcelain) and a Prototype Winged Horse in papka with pastel colors, 6″ high, circa 1940-1942.
The other two are candlesticks, and the catalog does have a photo of one of them. This is identified as the Pegasus Candlestick in papka, 7″ high, circa 1940. Not included in the show was a larger version called Pegasus Candlestick with Red and Green Flowers in glazed porcelain, 9″ high and circa 1942-1945.
Cybis created only three post-1940s Pegasus sculptures, and all of them were limited editions.
Sculpted by Lynn Brown, introduced in 1970 and completed in 1976, Pegasus was priced at $1450 throughout. He is slightly smaller than the unicorn, at 13.5” high. According to a mid-1970s article in a Louisville newspaper, this piece was originally commissioned by the Pegasus Parade committee as one of the awards presented for the best floats.
Most photographs of this piece completely fail to show that the wings contain areas of shimmery highlights, created by the random application of glaze to small areas on some of the feathers, but this picture has captured them nicely. The same glaze was applied to Pegasus’ hooves as well. The rest of the sculpture is bisque (matte) porcelain.
The second Pegasus was the first of two ‘youngsters’ and was named Pegasus Colt ‘Free Spirit’. Designed by Susan Eaton, it appeared in Fall 1980 as an edition of 1000 for $675. It now has its own Archive post because it has an unusual backstory behind the two colorways that were made. The edition was either completed or closed sometime between 1986 and early 1988, with my best guess being 1987.
The final flying-horse piece was Pegasus Colts ‘Flight and Fancy’ (similar to the pair of 1970s unicorn colts Gambol and Frolic). This piece is 7” high and was released in 1984 as an edition of 1000 at $975. On their 1988 price list it is $1175, and then $1475 in 1993. The edition was either closed or completed before 1999. Designed by Susan Eaton.
This photo of a separated pair shows that unlike most two-horse Cybis pieces, Flight and Fancy are joined together with the more reliable peg-and-hole method rather than the previous (dabs of glue or porcelain slip) way that the studio had done such pieces before. Many thanks to the Museum of American Porcelain Art for sharing their photo!
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