Etsy's Handmade Blog
My Top 10 Ceramic Figurines
Story by Vanessa
Published on May 6, 2008 in Etc 		Photo by PearsonMaron

All this talk about Mother's Day has me reflecting on the tchotchke-collecting gene. I got it from my mom and she from her parents (both her mother and father had vastly different tastes). While pining away for my grandparents' house and all the long-gone the curios therein, I studied up on the art and science of collecting ceramic figurines. Here's my personal Top 10 List...

Old Standby:
therunnybunny has some classics that give you such a strong sense of nostalgia, it's almost hypnotizing (and this owl couple is only $15):


Vintage clowns are always there, peeking out at you around every corner of every vintage shop. They're old friends:

ModishVintage $14.75

Sensuality:
You wouldn't think you would find your sensuality-totem in a camel, and yet here we are...

DagaDesign $54.00

Abstraction:
I didn't even know what this one is supposed to be at first, because it is elemental.

nightlydeity $5 

Slightly Primitive Precariousness:
Delicately, quietly...

Runningrabbitpottery $35

Functionality:
I need a fat lil piggybank. Yes, I do.

KelasBabyBoutique

At first I thought I'd put this mouse under the above category, but then realized its awkwardness is due to its function: ring-holder/extravagant mutant tail holder:

OliveVintage $8 (I'm buying this.)


Solice for your Desperation:


creativelo $14

Fear:
See also the bear at the top.

fruitflypie $14

Give me links to your favorite ceramic figurines in the comments below! Email to your tchotchke-addicted friends!

Tags ceramics, collectables, humor, tchotchke, Top 10 Lists
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17 comments     Login to add your own!

May 6, 2008 at 5:10 p.m. art2theextreme

Here are some of my ceramic figures!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...

Very cool selection! Thanks for sharing!

May 6, 2008 at 5:53 p.m. Mimi1013

Great idea for an article! I love vintage ceramic figurines and have postcards of some available in my shop.

May 6, 2008 at 6:29 p.m. ArgyleWhale

http://flickr.com/photos/justinandeli...
I have a thing for the tchotchkes myself. I made this installation a few years ago and still have boxes of peculiar blue figurines.

May 6, 2008 at 6:40 p.m. Judalina

My friends at Strantiques.etsy.com got me into Etsy. I absolutely love their owl fetish:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...

May 6, 2008 at 8:20 p.m. Schmutzerland

Im extremely partial to human heads on animal bodies visa vera.

here is one that is just darling!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...

May 6, 2008 at 11:10 p.m. AirportRoad

That clown is scary. But then, ALL clowns are scary.

May 6, 2008 at 11:56 p.m. Vanessa

Ooo strantiques has some good stuff! My grandmother had a thing for owls. My grandfather had a thing for those monkey see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil guys. I'm looking for something like that.

And Melabo is one of my favorites. My fiance and I got this as the cake topper for our upcoming nuptials: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
It was the first thing we bought for the wedding. Turns out now, knee deep in the planning, we can't afford to get a cake! At least we have an amazing and weird cake topper!

May 7, 2008 at 7:33 a.m. BlackStarBeads

I have a herd of buffalo, bear, fish and dinosaurs on the desk, above the computer that were my husband's when he was a kid- all vintage.
I've seen great ones on Etsy. If you're looking for vintage ones and can't find it on your own, try the EtsyVintage site. We have a section for buyers:
http://etsyvintage.ning.com/forum/top...

May 7, 2008 at 8:09 a.m. cozyblue

i loooove the polar bear!
and runnybunny is one of my favorites!
thanks :)

May 7, 2008 at 11:58 a.m. Vanessa

OK, last minute addition to the "Fear" subheading: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...

May 7, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. paperfacets

I collect pottery too! Thank you for the choices. I picked scary guppie. So everyone you're too late, it's gone!

May 7, 2008 at 3:37 p.m. madebymilla

I make these:
ceramic:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=...
and plaster:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=...
in my other identity...

May 9, 2008 at 10:50 a.m. Art2ArtColorado

I am so glad to see that people appreciate the ceramics of days gone by... sure brings up good memories of things...

*my Dad ran a ceramic shop in Steamboat Spgs. when i was growing up beyond his "real" job as the superintendent of a mine.

*many good memories were made in that community during the long & cold winter months as people gathered weekly to clean greenware, glaze, etc. and i loved having the opportunity to learn how to pour & fire with my pops.

*thanks!

May 15, 2008 at 5:54 p.m. ScribbleNation

OMG I am in love with the bear and the Hug Me Kitty - Mostly the Hug Me kitty.

June 5, 2008 at 6:35 a.m. DistressingDelilah

Gorgeous display..love the elf and the hug me kitty!

July 1, 2008 at 9:01 p.m. CraftCarousel

Thanks for the connection to The BookNook-I bought the issue of Ceramics Monthly shown from 1988-should be an interesting read! My husband makes handmade contemporary stoneware tile and lighting-I think he'll like this-if you like handmade ceramics-check out his site at www.mod-craft.com
thanks! Mary

Aug. 21, 2008 at 10:46 a.m. BeauMaris

I have always enjoyed a great piggy bank, and this Personalized Yellow Flower Piggy Bank shouldn't be limited to the very young, only the young at heart. It's too cute!

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