Vintage figurines are some of the most charming things you can find, from delicate porcelain ladies to kitschy mid-century animals. Here's how to figure out what you've got.
We have 11 figurines in the shop right now, in porcelain, ceramic, art glass and brass, from a tiny glass snail at $18 to a brass Durga statue at $79.
See the figurines →
What is it made of?
- Porcelain: hard, smooth, glazed, often slightly translucent at thin edges. Rings when tapped.
- Bisque: unglazed porcelain with a matte, velvety surface. Common on Victorian and German figurines and dolls.
- Ceramic and earthenware: heavier and more opaque, with a softer body that chips to show colored clay.
- Chalkware: molded plaster, light and chalky, often with painted surfaces. Popular carnival prizes from the 1930s to '50s.
- Metal: brass, bronze, cast iron or pot metal. Check with a magnet and see our brass guide.
- Resin: lightweight and often very detailed. Usually 1970s or later.
Check the base
Look for a printed or impressed mark, a paper label or label residue, and a country name. "Japan" and "Occupied Japan" figurines are a huge collecting field; our Japanese marks guide explains how to date them. For general tips, see how to read pottery and porcelain marks.
What makes a figurine valuable
- Maker: known names with collector followings carry real premiums.
- Condition: chips on fingers, noses and flower petals are the usual trouble spots. Restoration lowers value, so look under a bright light for repainting.
- Detail and painting quality: crisp modeling and careful hand-painting beat blurry molds and sloppy color.
- Subject: some subjects, like certain animals, holiday figures and quirky novelties, have their own devoted collectors.
- Original labels and boxes: they add value and help with identification.
See it in person: figurines in the shop
Each one is a single piece, so when it's gone, it's gone.
Caring for figurines
Dust with a soft brush. Wash glazed porcelain gently by hand, but never soak bisque, chalkware or anything with cold paint, since water can lift the color. Display away from shelf edges and curious cats.
Shop figurines
Browse our Figurines and Collectables and Trinkets and Oddities collections.
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Figurines & collectables →Trinkets & oddities →Collectable glass →
Keep reading: Andrea by Sadek · Nippon, Japan or Occupied Japan? · What Is Sommerso Glass?
What was the figurine everyone in your family wasn't allowed to touch? Tell us what it was and who it belonged to.