Figurines have become one of the most underrated objects of art in the 21st Century. The reason, no one knows how to decorate with figurines, and let’s face it all figurines are not created equal. At our ALO online shop I deal in a lot of figurines. Lladro, Royal Doulton, Hummels and the occasional wooden figurine. People, animals, obnoxious and lovely!!! It is my job to sift through the noise, and find the ones that are worthy of the online shop. In my experience, I have learned what has value and what goes directly into the thrift shop.

Right now in the online shop I have about 25 Lladro figurines, and Hummel’s in abundance. Every once in a while we will receive a donation of several figurines from one donor. I just know this was the thing. The Collection! Spread out all by themselves in a Curio Cabinet, and every birthday, Christmas, Anniversary, one of these figurines would be presented as an important gift to the receiver. It would be lovingly placed inside a curio or China Cabinet and forgotten until dusting day!

Now is a great time to start collecting figurines, but for warned, like anything, you need to know when to say when!!!

In the 80’s, 90’s, and 2000 Lladro reached its zenith. Made in Spain you would recognize them by their long lanky form, in soft grey/blue, and rose accents. They are elegant, made of porcelain and beautifully hand painted, and in their day, they would retail for 100-1000’s of dollars depending on size and subject. Now these lovely objects of art, can be purchased for 50-500 dollars. There are small Lladro animal figures like geese that can be purchased in the 20 dollar price range.

Another great figurine to collect now is Royal Doulton. You are probably familiar with there “Ladies” wearing fancy 18th and 19th Century dress. Also made of Porcelain these are also beautifully hand painted but, did you know they also made men. Men full of character, some scruffy, some elegant but all very well done. These are the figurines I collect. I’m sorry but, for me the ladies are just too sweet and fussy. But if women are your jam, by all means, they are lovely. They can still be used to create magic in the same way.

Now let’s talk about Hummel’s. Nuances in the same figurine can mean a huge difference in the resale value. You know these figurines by their cute children in German Garb. Made in Germany they too are made of porcelain but, have a rich matte or bisque finish. They are charming and absolutely beautifully done. I can guarantee they came out of Grandma’s curio cabinet. Given one at time over the course of a lifetime. Basically it has been my experience that Hummel’s have hit bottom and are not worth much at this time. The online shop has about 45, and they just are not selling. So, this is a fantastic time to collect them. Even though they are not reaching their price potential now, doesn’t mean they won’t come up in value in the future. That is collecting. Sometimes your collections will be worth $$$ and sometimes $$. If you’re a collector you shouldn’t let this bother you. Never collect something just for its monetary value. The key is to buy low and sell high. On the other hand I have proven to do the opposite! I buy what speaks to me.

So how do you know what is good and what isn’t. Generally I will always recommend staying away from Resin. Recognized by their weight, always much heavier, and complicated overly molded, overdone appearance aka Precious Moments. Mass produced and made in China. These items will never hold their value because, there are millions of them on the market. That is not to say there are not gorgeous figurines that came out of China pre-20th Century. Basically I’m talking about figurines from 1970 on. Cute maybe but, not for a serious collector. Look for England or Made in England. The US started to require all imports after 1926 to have “Made In” and the country of origin. If it just says the country it is Pre-1926 and this is a good thing. Antiques made in France, Austria, and Italy are also worth collecting. Find what you like, research it, and start collecting. Figurine’s can also be made of wood, stone, jade, bronze or other metals. We’ve had them all. Currently quite popular are brass animals from 1950’s. I would call this trending, not necessarily a good design choice. If you use the brass figurine as your punctuation point that can be successful. Again, if you love the look go for it.

Now let’s talk about the Do’s and Don’ts of displaying figurines. Don’t mass the collection. This is one case where spreading them out will make them appear intentional. Tuck them in with other items. One of my favorite things I have done recently, is to put a Royal Doulton figurine of a carpenter at his bench, in with my kitchen table vignette of ironstone with advertising. This one refined piece, amongst the scruffier textures of the ironstone elevated that vignette. Gave it movement and life if you will. It reminds me of my dad. A salesman by trade he was always in his garage workshop, creating something from wood for my mom. He never wore an apron though! But he often had a pipe in his mouth as does this one.

The Royal Copenhagen Lambs are also here, tucked into a mold with some Spanish moss. Still loving them. They create whimsy and call for attention.

I am personally in possession of 7 figurines of people, and a few animal figures. This collection is complete and I am no longer actively looking to expand this collection. I have 3 pair of men and the single one, and I love them all. Constant companions they float very nicely in my home and I know I can quickly grab one to enhance anything from a table scape, to a vignette. Maybe you have inherited a figurine or two and tucked them into a cabinet to be forgotten, because you have no idea how to display them. It is my hope to show you the difference between what is good decorative quality, and what is worth collecting.

Here they are with the slouching Foaming Mug sitting on a collection of Bronte books. He’s truly in his cups!!! With Falstaff giving him the side eye.

Most figurines are on the smaller side 8-12″ so they need support. Don’t just set a figurine by itself on a table. They need friends, and most of the time they need some kind of base or lift. If you’ve been with me for a while, you know my love for antique leather bound books. They make a perfect lift for a figurine. I also use wood pedestals that you can buy at the craft store. You know the kind you see on the base of a lamp. These round pedestals are part of my arsenal, that I always have on hand in every size, from tiny to large.

I’ve said this many times before. Everything has a height it is meant to be seen at. With figurines it is imperative to pay attention to how it appears in your spot. What are you looking at while you are sitting, and what do you see when you are standing. You view them differently. Generally I will never put a smaller standing figurine on a coffee or end table unless of course it is in a vignette. For the most part you are looking down on them. The exception would be a laying down animal.

This chalk ware bunny is totally enhanced by having the bowl behind him, framing him in space, with the book next door. The bunny is small at only about 4″, and the bowl is small too. Left to their own devices they would both get lost in the vast space of the cupboard. Together they make magic!

Figurines are best as shallow shelf pieces, and should be supported with other objects of various shapes and sizes. On my Welsh Cupboard the shelves are 6″ deep, and they are the perfect foil for a pair of figurines. I have 2 different pairs that I switch back and forth. I still have the two Doulton Shepherds on the cupboard now. I love their color and grace, and the lambs they are holding. But also the colors of their coats are picking up the colors in the books. Carrying your eye down to the next shelf.

Their serene faces with there craggy wrinkles, are what appealed to me. They aren’t too pretty! Here I have just flanked them very simply on either side of the plates on the shelf. While the chalk ware sheep are scattered in front of the platter to continue the story. The platter is Sheltered Peasants an 1825 first period Transferware relic of a platter. It features a husband and wife with their child under a tree, with sheep near by. I was able to pick up another piece of Sheltered Peasants for a song on eBay. The back of the plate has a chip, because it is a shelf piece it doesn’t bother me and you can’t see it on the front. If perfect this plate would be 70.00, with chip I got it for 14.99 plus the 19.00 shipping which was ridiculous.

Let’s go back and talk about that eye level thing again. With figurines it is all about the eyes. I think this is why I enjoy them so much. Normally these figurines are on a higher shelf. One figure is looking straight on, and the other is looking down. Each figurine is different so it’s important to pay attention to where the eyes are landing. Looking up it goes on a lower shelf. Looking down a higher shelf. Straight on it should be at eye level. This little trick will help to direct your traffic around your vignette. I have stated this in several posts over the years, it is that important, and something I think most people should pay attention to.

Figurines also make fabulous book ends. The difference between the leather texture on the books and the porcelain is pure magic. Hint—if your concerned with books crashing on your figurines use cheap metal bookends on the inside of your books. They come in different sizes and will make the books secure. Another tool in my arsenal.

I never set out to collect figurines. I don’t really consider myself a collector of figurines now. But, I saw how much they enhanced my mother’s home. No matter the season her home was always alive, and I realized it was how she used her figurines. Sometimes a punctuation mark, sometimes to direct the eye, sometimes to make you laugh in the most unexpected places. I only brought one pair from her home and the single carpenter. My original intent was to sell them. I am so glad I didn’t. I would not part with any of them.

I encourage you to get those figurines out of your cupboard and don your Childs hat. Make up a story and play with your figurines and see if you can’t make them enhance your own home. A treasured figurine from your grandmother can be a tribute, catch a memory, and make you smile every single day.

Thanks for stopping

Shelley