Our Guide to the World's Most Popular Porcelain Figurines

Porcelain figurines have captivated collectors for centuries, representing the pinnacle of ceramic artistry and craftsmanship. 

From European royal courts to modern living rooms, these delicate sculptures combine technical mastery with artistic vision, creating objects that transcend mere decoration and become treasured heirlooms and investment pieces. 

Each of the top porcelain figurine brands brings its own distinctive style, history, and artistic philosophy, making the world of collectible figurines remarkably diverse and endlessly fascinating.

In this guide, we explore the most popular porcelain figurine brands from around the world, highlighting what makes each unique and identifying the most sought-after pieces that collectors cherish.

Top German Porcelain Figurine Brands

Germany's dominance in porcelain production is undeniable: seven of the world's most celebrated figurine brands are based in Germany. From Meissen's groundbreaking 1710 discovery of hard-paste porcelain to the romantic lace work of Thuringian manufacturers, German porcelain set technical and artistic standards that influenced ceramic production across Europe. The diversity within German porcelain traditions demonstrates the breadth and innovation that made Germany the heartland of European ceramic excellence.

Meissen

Founded in 1710, Meissen holds the distinction of being Europe's first true porcelain manufactory and set the standard against which all subsequent European porcelain would be judged. 

Under the direction of master modeller Johann Joachim Kändler, Meissen created figurines that revolutionized porcelain sculpture in the 18th century. The iconic crossed swords mark became synonymous with quality and prestige, making Meissen figurines among the most collectible in the world. Meissen's commitment to traditional hand-crafting methods, combined with over three centuries of continuous production, ensures that both antique and modern pieces maintain exceptional quality and value.

Popular Meissen Figurines:

• Commedia dell'Arte characters (Harlequin, Columbine, Pantalone)

• The Monkey Band (Affenkapelle) orchestra series

• Large-scale animal sculptures, particularly birds

• Allegorical figures (Four Seasons, Five Senses)

• Mythological subjects and classical deities

• 18th-century courting couples and pastoral scenes

• Paul Scheurich's Art Deco figures from the 1920s-1930s

KPM Berlin

Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin, founded in 1763 by Frederick the Great of Prussia, represents German porcelain at its most refined and classical. KPM Berlin's figurines emphasize neoclassical elegance, with graceful proportions and restrained decoration that reflects Enlightenment ideals of beauty. 

The Prussian sceptre mark, used consistently since the manufactory's founding, makes KPM one of the most easily identified porcelain brands. The company's commitment to traditional hand-crafting methods and its reputation for technical perfection make KPM Berlin figurines highly prized among collectors who appreciate classical sophistication and historical significance.

Popular KPM Berlin Figurines:

• Neoclassical maidens and mythological figures by the Meyer brothers

• Paul Scheurich's Art Deco dancers and elegant ladies

• Animal figurines, particularly horses

• Allegorical subjects and classical deities

• Portrait figurines of historical figures

• 19th-century romantic couples

• Limited edition contemporary collaborations

Nymphenburg

The Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory, founded in 1747 near Munich, represents Bavarian porcelain artistry at its finest. The manufactory gained legendary status through Franz Anton Bustelli's Rococo figurines created between 1754 and 1763, which are considered among the finest porcelain sculptures ever made.

Nymphenburg's commitment to hand-crafted production using traditional methods ensures that each piece maintains the exceptional quality that has defined the manufactory for nearly three centuries. The combination of historical importance, artistic excellence, and limited production makes Nymphenburg figurines highly prized among serious collectors.

Popular Nymphenburg Figurines:

• Bustelli's Commedia dell'Arte figures (16 characters)

• Animal figurines by Adelbert Niemeyer (lions, horses)

• Court figures and nobility in 18th-century dress

• Children and putti (cherubs)

• Modern art collaborations and limited editions

• Mythological subjects

• Musical figures and performers

Rosenthal

Founded in 1879, Rosenthal distinguished itself by embracing contemporary design and collaborating with renowned artists rather than adhering to traditional porcelain aesthetics. This progressive approach made Rosenthal figurines distinctly modern, with styles ranging from Art Deco elegance to mid-century abstraction. 

The company's Studio Line, launched in 1961, featured collaborations with internationally acclaimed artists, architects, and designers, including Björn Wiinblad, Salvador Dalí, and numerous Bauhaus-influenced creators. Rosenthal figurines appeal to collectors who appreciate modernist design and the intersection of craft and fine art.

Popular Rosenthal Figurines:

• Ferdinand Liebermann's Art Deco dancers and nudes

• Gerhard Schliepstein's stylized animal sculptures

• Björn Wiinblad's whimsical folk-art-inspired designs

• Fritz Klimsch's classical-modern figures

• Studio Line limited edition collaborations

• Art Deco athletes and modern subjects from the 1920s-1930s

• Abstract and modernist pieces from the post-war period

Dresden

"Dresden" refers not to a single manufacturer but to numerous studios and small manufactories operating in and around Dresden, Germany, during the 19th and early 20th centuries. These producers created ornate figurines characterized by elaborate porcelain lacework, applied flowers, and romantic subjects that epitomized decorative excess. 

Carl Thieme's Potschappel manufactory became one of the most important Dresden producers, creating pieces that showcased the remarkable technical achievement of porcelain lace—actual fabric lace dipped in porcelain slip and fired so the fabric burns away, leaving delicate porcelain reproductions. Dresden figurines appeal to collectors who appreciate elaborate decoration and romantic 19th-century aesthetics.

Popular Dresden Figurines:

• Courting couples in elaborate 18th-century costumes with lace details

• Musical groups and orchestras

• Ballerinas and dancers with flowing lace gowns

• Elegant ladies with extensively applied flowers

• Multi-figure romantic compositions on decorative bases

• Mirror and clock cases with figural decoration

• Pieces by Carl Thieme, Potschappel

Volkstedt

Founded in 1760, Volkstedt is the oldest porcelain manufactory in Thuringia, Germany's porcelain heartland. The manufactory became particularly renowned for its lace figurines—a painstaking technique that produces ethereal porcelain lace that adorns couples, dancers, and elegant ladies. 

Volkstedt's romantic figurines, often featuring Rococo-style decoration and extensive applied ornament, capture an idealized 18th-century world of courtly elegance. The delicacy of Volkstedt's lace work and applied decoration makes condition particularly important when collecting these pieces, as even minor damage to these fragile elements significantly affects value.

Popular Volkstedt Figurines:

• Large courting couples with elaborate lace costumes

• Musical duos and groups

• Ballerinas in lace tutus

• Individual elegant ladies in lace gowns

• Rococo-style pastoral scenes

• Multi-figure romantic compositions with applied flowers

• 19th-century examples with exceptionally intricate lacework

Hummel/Goebel

Hummel figurines, produced by the Goebel company since 1935, are based on the charming drawings of Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel. These figurines depicting children in various activities captured hearts worldwide and helped build one of the largest collecting communities in the decorative arts. The combination of innocent subject matter, consistent quality, and the connection to Sister Hummel's original artwork created a collecting phenomenon that peaked in the 1970s-1980s but remains strong today. 

Each Hummel figurine bears specific marks that help collectors date pieces, and certain rare or retired models command significant prices in the secondary market.

Popular Hummel Figurines:

• "Merry Wanderer" (the iconic boy with an umbrella)

• "Stormy Weather" (boy and girl under umbrella)

• "Umbrella Boy" and "Umbrella Girl"

• "Apple Tree Boy" and "Apple Tree Girl"

• "Ride Into Christmas"

• "Little Fiddler"

• "Goose Girl"

• "School Boy" and "School Girl"

• Annual figurines and limited editions

• Century Collection pieces

Top Continental European Porcelain Figurine Brands

Beyond Germany's porcelain powerhouses, other European nations developed distinctive ceramic traditions that earned international acclaim. 

Hungary's Herend and Denmark's Royal Copenhagen each brought a unique national character to porcelain figurine production—Herend with its intricate hand-painted patterns and Hungarian folk art influences, Royal Copenhagen with its Scandinavian simplicity and naturalistic approach. 

These manufactories demonstrate that exceptional porcelain artistry flourished across diverse European cultural landscapes, each region contributing its own aesthetic vision to the ceramic arts.

Herend

Established in 1826 in Hungary, Herend Porcelain Manufactory gained international recognition when it exhibited at the 1851 Great Exhibition in London, where Queen Victoria herself became a patron. Herend specializes in hand-painted figurines featuring the manufactory's signature patterns, including the famous fishnet design that incorporates delicate gold lattice work. Each Herend piece is entirely hand-painted and hand-formed, making every figurine unique. The manufactory's animal figurines—particularly rabbits, cats, and birds—demonstrate exceptional attention to anatomical detail combined with decorative sophistication that appeals to collectors worldwide.

Popular Herend Figurines:

• Animals in fishnet pattern (especially rabbits and cats)

• Pair of Kissing Rabbits

• Rooster and chicken figurines

• Butterflies and insects

• Dogs and puppies in various breeds

• Birds on branches

• Limited edition wildlife sculptures

• Mythological creatures, including dragons and phoenixes

Royal Copenhagen

Royal Copenhagen, founded in 1775 under royal patronage, became famous for its distinctive underglaze blue decoration and naturalistic approach to figurine design. The Danish manufactory's figurines often depict everyday life, children, and animals rendered with gentle charm and meticulous attention to detail. Royal Copenhagen's animal figurines, particularly its extensive collection of dog breeds and wildlife subjects, showcase the manufactory's skill in capturing personality and anatomical accuracy. The three wavy lines, representing Denmark's three historic waterways, identify genuine Royal Copenhagen pieces and have become an instantly recognizable symbol of Danish ceramic excellence.

Popular Royal Copenhagen Figurines:

• Dog breed figurines (dozens of breeds represented)

• "The Little Mermaid" in various sizes

• Children with animals

• Danish regional costume figures

• Wildlife animals (bears, polar bears, foxes)

• Cats in various poses

• Birds native to Denmark

• Pastoral and farm scenes

Top British Porcelain Figurine Brands

British porcelain brands developed their own distinctive approach to figurine production, emphasizing narrative charm, social observation, and technical excellence.

Royal Doulton and Royal Worcester figurines captured British life and character—from elegant ladies to working tradespeople, from beloved storybook characters to naturalistic wildlife. The extensive documentation, systematic cataloguing (particularly Royal Doulton's HN series), and consistent quality that characterize British porcelain production have made these brands among the most actively collected worldwide, with strong markets in both the UK and internationally.

Royal Doulton

Royal Doulton's history dates back to 1815, though its figurine production truly flourished with the introduction of the HN series in 1913. Named after Harry Nixon, this extensive series has produced over 4,000 figurine models, making it one of the most comprehensive ceramic figurine collections in history. Royal Doulton figurines span subjects from elegant ladies in period costume to whimsical character jugs, literary figures, and the beloved Bunnykins rabbit series. The company's ability to capture British character, from elegant nobility to working-class tradespeople, combined with consistent quality and extensive documentation, has made Royal Doulton one of the most actively collected brands worldwide.

Popular Royal Doulton Figurines:

• Pretty Ladies series (Autumn Breezes, Top o' the Hill, The Balloon Seller)

• Early HN figures (HN1 Darling, HN2 Paisley Shawl)

• Character jugs (Old Charley, The Cavalier, Winston Churchill)

• Bunnykins series (hundreds of models)

• Literary characters (Alice in Wonderland, Dickens characters)

• The Professionals series (tradespeople and occupations)

• Nursery rhyme characters

• Limited edition prestige pieces

Royal Worcester

Founded in 1751, Royal Worcester became renowned for technical excellence and artistic innovation in English porcelain. The company's figurine production peaked in the 20th century, with artists such as Freda Doughty and Doris Lindner. Doughty's naturalistic bird figurines and charming children's series demonstrate meticulous attention to anatomical detail and artistic sensitivity. In contrast, Lindner's equestrian figurines showcase dynamic poses and anatomical precision that appeal to both porcelain collectors and horse enthusiasts. Royal Worcester's commitment to handcrafted quality and the prestige of its royal patronage make its figurines highly desirable.

Popular Royal Worcester Figurines:

• Freda Doughty's bird figurines (dozens of species)

• "Days of the Week" children's series by Freda Doughty

• Doris Lindner's equestrian figurines and polo players

• Classical maidens and allegorical figures

• Kate Greenaway-style children

• Animal figurines

• Limited edition commemorative pieces

• James Hadley's Victorian figures

Top Spanish Porcelain Figurine Brand

Spain's entry into the collectible porcelain figurine market came relatively late but had a significant impact. Lladró, founded in 1953, revolutionized porcelain aesthetics with its distinctive matte finish, elongated, graceful forms, and soft pastel palette that departed dramatically from traditional European porcelain's bright colours and high gloss. 

The Lladró brothers' modern sensibility, combined with meticulous hand-crafting, created a new collecting phenomenon that appealed particularly to contemporary tastes. Lladró's success demonstrates that innovation and artistic vision can establish a porcelain brand's prestige even without centuries of tradition.

Lladró

Founded in 1953 by the Lladró brothers in Valencia, Spain, Lladró revolutionized porcelain figurine design with its distinctive matte finish and gracefully elongated forms. Unlike traditional European porcelain, which emphasized bright colours and high gloss, Lladró developed a soft, pastel aesthetic with subtle colour gradations that create an ethereal, dreamlike quality. Lladro figurines often depict elegant ladies, children, animals, and religious subjects rendered with exceptional grace and attention to flowing lines. Lladró's combination of modern sensibility with traditional hand-crafting techniques has made it one of the most popular collectible porcelain brands worldwide, with particular strength in contemporary collecting markets.

Popular Lladró Figurines:

• Elegant ladies in flowing gowns

• Children with animals

• Ballet dancers and performers

• Religious figurines (angels, nativity scenes)

• Don Quixote series

• Clown figurines

• Animal sculptures (particularly horses and dogs)

• Limited edition Goyescas series

• Flora and fauna subjects

• Asian-inspired figures

Building Your Porcelain Figurine Collection

When beginning or expanding a porcelain figurine collection, consider these key factors:

• Authentication and Marks: Learn to recognize genuine manufacturer's marks for brands you collect. Reference guides that show mark variations across periods are invaluable. Reputable dealers and certified appraisers can verify authenticity for significant purchases.

• Condition Considerations: Porcelain's durability varies by type, but damage always affects value. Hard-paste porcelain (Meissen, KPM Berlin, Nymphenburg) is more durable than soft-paste, but all porcelain requires careful handling. Examine pieces thoroughly for chips, cracks, repairs, or restoration. Delicate elements such as lacework, applied flowers, and extended fingers are particularly vulnerable and should be checked carefully.

• Rarity and Desirability: Limited editions, pieces by noted artists, unusual subjects, and figurines from specific periods (particularly 18th and early 19th centuries for European manufacturers) generally command premium prices. Retired models often appreciate, though not all retired pieces become valuable—desirability depends on aesthetic appeal, quality, and collector demand.

• Investment Potential: While no collectible guarantees appreciation, established manufacturers with long histories and consistent quality tend to maintain value better than trendy or newer brands. Figurines in excellent condition with clear provenance and documentation typically perform best in the secondary market.

• Personal Connection: The best collections reflect personal taste and passion. Whether you're drawn to elegant ladies, whimsical animals, historical subjects, or modernist abstractions, collect what speaks to you. The joy of living with beautiful objects often proves more valuable than purely financial considerations.

• Proper Care and Display: Porcelain figurines require careful handling and appropriate display. Avoid direct sunlight, which can fade colours over time. Display in secure locations away from high-traffic areas—dust gently with soft brushes rather than cloths that might catch on delicate elements. Store carefully when not displayed, wrapping each individually in acid-free tissue.

Vintage Porcelain Figurines at Around the Block

At Around the Block, we understand that porcelain figurines represent more than decorative objects—they embody artistic traditions, technical mastery, and personal connections that span generations. Our expertise across all the world's premier porcelain brands ensures that whether you're selling treasured family pieces or building a collection, you receive knowledgeable guidance and accurate valuations.

Around the Block carries all the top porcelain figurine brands, including Herend, Royal Doulton, Lladró, Meissen, Royal Worcester, Nymphenburg, Hutschenreuther, Goebel, and more, making us Toronto's premier destination for fine porcelain collectibles. Our certified appraisers provide accurate authentication and valuation, while our straightforward consignment process offers the best consignment percentage in Toronto.

Whether you're captivated by Meissen's historical significance, Lladró's modern elegance, Royal Doulton's British charm, or Herend's hand-painted sophistication, we invite you to explore our carefully curated selection. For more information about consigning or purchasing fine porcelain figurines, visit our Consignment page or contact us directly.