Collecting china figurines can be a fascinating hobby. It can also prove to be an astute investment if you purchase wisely. And there is also the added pleasure of having the items you’ve purchased put on display in your home. A beautiful, porcelain figure on your mantelpiece, for example, is a real pleasure to the eye.

In my view, just what you collect is very much a matter of personal choice and available funds.

For instance, my wife collects the small, Wade figures. They are certainly attractive and are usually easy to find and not too expensive to buy. She admits that her collection will never make her rich but that is not her main reason for collecting them. She just loves them and enjoys adding to her collection when the opportunity arises.

And then I have a friend who can’t resist buying any Meissen figure that he sees and, over the years, he has created an extensive and very fine collection that is now worth quite a considerable sum of money.

So, if you wish to enter the realm of collectable figurines then you obviously must bear in mind your available budget. And then try to collect what you like within your financial limits. Do some research and decide on the type of figurine you may like to collect.
Some people collect only military figures while others might choose romantic figure groups. Again, collect what you can get enthusiastic, even passionate, about!

Quality can be an important factor especially if you are buying primarily for investment. For example, manufacturers such as Meissen, Chelsea, Bow and Nymthenburg produced items with fine detail and quality moulding. But such figures can be rare as well as expensive to purchase.

Compare these ‘high end’ items with the more crude, naive Staffordshire flat backs.I personally love the Staffordshire figures for their social history, colour and sense of fun. Plus, they are not too expensive to buy.

Collectable figurines are, therefore, difficult to define. But, from an investment viewpoint, an item of quality will always retain and possibly increase in value as the years roll by.

The most important thing, in my view, is to enjoy your collecting. And if eventually you find that your hobby has also proved to be a valuable investment then that is an added bonus.

REMEMBER: Whatever your preference for china figurines, a good place to start looking for items is TIAS. Reputable dealers worldwide showcase their antiques and collectibles on this established site and quality items can be purchased at very reasonable prices. It is also a fantastic place to look for gift ideas and you can sign up for their very informative newsletter. Use the search box below to find your item of interest.

Finally, my advice, when looking at collectable figurines is to be aware of your budget, focus on quality, try to buy items in good, overall condition (perfect is better!) and become an expert in your field by educating yourself.