Sell Your Collectables
What are the best collectable figurines in the UK?
Boasting beautiful designs and high detail, collectable figures can be an attractive addition to your home and a valuable asset. When building a collection, it is important to bear in mind the significance of particular brands and styles, whilst taking into account the resale value. We take you through some of the most popular brands of collectable figurines in the UK so you can best decide which is right for you!
Border Fine Arts
Border Fine Arts are well known for their realistic figures and tableaux depicting scenes of farming, wildlife and rural living, drawing inspiration from the Scottish countryside. Their intricate models have gained notability for their attention to detail. Despite the factory doors closing in 2016, Border Fine Arts models still thrive on the secondhand market and are highly popular amongst collectors. Some of the most valuable models include the ‘A New Bale,’ model which sold for £1700 in February 2024 and ‘The Threshing Mill,’ which has sold for over £1000, demonstrating their ability to retain their value.
Border Fine Arts 'Foxhound' Figure Model
Price - £100.00
Lladro
Lladro was founded in 1953 in Almassera near Valencia. The company originally manufactured items such as vases and jugs, and it wasn’t until 1956 that they began producing the collectable figurines for which they are best known today. Each figure is handmade, known for its intricacy and high-quality resin and cold casting, with each piece taking around two years to craft. The figures come in a variety of styles including wedding couples, mother and child scenes and religious imagery. Limited editions of Lladro figures have been known to generate large amounts, such as ‘Cinderella’s Arrival,’ which generated a staggering £9500 at Auction in 2021. Other figures known to generate well within the thousands of pounds include ‘Where to Sir,’ and the ‘Saint Michael,’ model.
Lladro 'Big Sister' Girl Reading To Child With Dog Figure Model
Price - £230
Disney Pixar / Walt Disney Classics Collection
Disney collectable figures are understandably a big hit with Disney fans and collectors alike, with their charming depictions of childhood Disney classic characters conjuring up nostalgia and childhood memories.
Official Disney merchandise figures have the ability to generate large amounts on the secondhand market so could be a good edition to your collection. For example, a 1980s porcelain figure of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, limited to 1000 models, sold for over $2000 at auction. More modern Disney figures are often mass produced in China making them far more affordable, regularly generating under £50 at auctions. The affordability of Disney Pixar figures makes them a great option for those looking to start a collection without breaking the bank!
Wdcc 'Somethin' Fishy' Disney Mickey Mouse Simple Things Figure Model
Robert Harrop
Known for their detailed and charming depictions of childhood favourites and unique concepts, Robert Harrop pieces are well established in the world of collectable figurines. Robert Harrop Designs was established in 1986 by Robert and his wife, their first line ‘Doogie People,’ was a great success as its originality appealed to collectors and it is still in production today. Furthermore, the success of Robert Harrop led to several commissions including Beano, Camberwell Green and Wallace and Gromit, for which the brand is best known today. The combination of skilled craftsmanship with childhood favourite characters has made these lines a big hit with collectors. Some of the most valuable models include ‘Big Dennis Red Nose,’ which sold at auction for £600 last year and a Gromit figure titled ‘A matter of Loaf and Death,’ which sold for over £300.
Robert Harrop 'Bananaman' Limited Edition Beano Dandy Figure Model
Price - £400.00
Royal Crown Derby
Known as one of the oldest English manufacturers of Porcelain, dating back to the mid 1700s, Royal Crown Derby’s rich history has established itself as a pioneer of collectable figurines. Despite being best known for their bone china Japanese Old Imari tableware, Royal Crown Derby figurines can be equally as collectable and often generate large amounts on the secondhand market. The figures cover a range of subjects including animals and humans representing different histories and cultures. They are known for their realistic and intricate designs, sometimes featuring iconic patterns associated with the brand such as ‘Imari’. Due to the brand's rich history, early examples (identified by their markings) that are in good condition are highly sought after by collectors, often fetching hundreds of pounds at auctions. Other highly collectable lines include the Imari royal cats with the ‘Pearly King,’ model generating over £300 and rare examples of the ‘Cheshire Cat,’ selling for around £900. Royal Crown Derby’s prestigious history and pioneering designs make it a great choice for anyone thinking of starting a figurines collection.
Royal Crown Derby 'Dione' Classic Collection Figure Model
Price - £70.00
Volkstedt Rudolstadt
Volkstedt Rudolstadt is another maker of collectable figures with a rich history. Established in 1762, Volkstedt Rudolstadt is one of the earliest porcelain manufacturers in Germany and by the turn of the century it was well established throughout Europe, already having 95 different types of figurines in production. In the mid-nineteenth century Volkstedt Rudolstadt introduced intricate lace detailing to its figures, for which they are most known today.
The brand is still in production but operates under the name Älteste Volkstedter Porzellanmanufaktur, making the early examples of the figures highly sought after amongst enthusiasts. One of the most valuable examples of Volkstedt Rudolstadt figurines is a large ‘dining room’ group figure which sold for over £4,000 at auction. Typically, the lace figures sell within the low hundreds, with particularly rare examples generating close to thousands making them a great addition to your collection.
Mother & Daughter - Volkstedt Rudolstadt Porcelain Lace Group Figure Model
Price - £120.00
What are the best collectable figurines in the UK?
Overall, it is best to establish what you want to gain from your collection when picking a brand to start accumulating. Border Fine Arts, Lladro, Royal Crown Derby, Disney and Robert Harrop, all offer viable options for a collection with established brand recognition within the trade, which could well be profitable. Depending on personal style you may opt for an older brand such as Royal Crown Derby or Volkstedt Rudolstadt due to their rich histories, or perhaps the uniqueness of Lladro figures appeals to you. If you are a fan of character depictions Robert Harrop or Walt Disney Pixar figures may be a good place to start, or alternatively, if you prefer intricate realistic scenes Border Fine Arts may be more suited. At PM Antiques & Collectables, we stock a wide range of all of the above brands so whatever your preferences, check out our collectable figurines for sale today and start building your collectable figures collection!
