Make Money Side Hustles

10 Most Valuable Figurines That Could Make You Richer

Don’t toss those figurines gathering dust in your attic just yet.

woman choosing interesting antique
Updated Sept. 30, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

Figurines are often considered tchotchkes, and rarely regarded as high-dollar collector’s items. But there’s actually quite a market for them in the resale world. 

In fact, the figurine market was valued at an estimated $7.2 billion in 2024, stirring up more interest in your old items than you might think.

Whether you’re scanning your local antique mall or thrift shop to make extra money on collector’s items or have a few lying around at home, here are 10 valuable figurines that could be worth more than you think.

Earn money online by taking surveys

$55,000 might sound crazy … but with a company called Survey Junkie, it’s possible to get your share of it every day by taking their surveys in your extra time.

Follow these simple steps to start earning:

  1. Sign up for an account with Survey Junkie here.
  2. Take surveys.
  3. Repeat daily and get paid for sharing your opinion!

P.S.: You can cash out with as little as $5 through PayPal or bank transfer, or transfer to gift cards from a number of stores.

Get your share of $55,000 daily by signing up here

Precious Moments Original 21 Collection

bevari_0/Courtesy of eBay precious moments original 21 collection

Over the decades, Precious Moments has released a seemingly endless list of figurines and art, some of which are worth a pretty penny. Full collections in great condition are normally worth the most.

The Original 21 Collection from 1979 is said to be worth up to $15,000 if you own them all. Individual figurines from this collection – which includes “Love Is Kind” and “He Careth For You” – can be worth between $200 and $800 each.

Hummel Apple Tree Boy & Apple Tree Girl

lindatalty/Courtesy of eBay hummel apple tree boy & apple tree girl

Maria Innocentia Hummel was a Franciscan nun and artist whose drawings inspired a figurine collection including the Apple Tree Boy and Apple Tree Girl.

If you have both, you may make more cash selling them as a pair. In 2012, 32-inch versions of the pair were listed on Etsy for 10,000 euros, and a 6-inch set is currently on eBay for $1,800.

Meissen A Pair Of Lovers With A Bird Cage

Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art meissen-a-pair-of-lovers-with-a-bird-cage

Early Meissen works are some of the most consistently expensive figurines on the resell market.

A Pair of Lovers With A Bird Cage is a five-inch piece depicting a man and a woman in an embrace, with the man’s left hand resting on a bird cage. This rare piece is currently valued between $40,000 and $60,000.

Stop overpaying when you shop online

Shopping online has its perks. It's super convenient, but it can be time consuming to find the best deals. Instead of hunting for coupon codes (that don't always work!) and opening tons of browser tabs comparing prices, you can try Capital One Shopping.

Capital One Shopping makes saving money effortless. Just add the browser extension and when you check out, it'll scour the internet for coupon codes to help you save cash. And before you check out at 25+ major retailers, Capital One Shopping will notify you with a friendly pop-up if the item you're buying is available cheaper somewhere else.

Capital One Shopping is free to use and won't show you ads. Add it today and stop overpaying!1

Get Capital One Shopping now

Lomonosov Porcelain Factory Middle Eastern Woman

Courtesy of Heritage Auctions lomonosov porcelain factory

Lomonosov figurines can be sold for a good chunk of change if you happen to have any lying around.

The Lomonosov Porcelain Factory Middle Eastern Woman is about nine inches tall and depicts a woman wearing traditional Middle Eastern garb. This particular piece sold at auction in 2009 for $26,290.

French Ormolu and Samson Porcelain Figurine

Courtesy of Christie's french ormolu and samson porcelain figurine

The French Ormolu and Samson Porcelain Figurine was crafted in the late 19th century and depicts a little girl standing, dressed in butter yellow. She is surrounded by a canopy with budding flowers on it.

This particular piece sold at auction for about $5,850 in 2007.

Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Pekingese Figurine

i.sell.my.art.collection/Courtesy of eBay royal copenhagen porcelain pekingese figurine

If you happen to have a rare Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Pekingese Figurine in good condition, you might be able to acquire it for over $1,000.

This piece was crafted in the 1920s. One is currently listed on eBay for $1,090, and one in excellent condition is up for auction for $1,200.

Russian Porcelain Figurine Gardner "Catcher of Fleas" XIX

onlyone-2007/Courtesy of eBay russian porcelain figurine

Some of the figurine designs that sell for a lot of money are quirky enough that they don’t even seem beautiful. Take the Russian Porcelain Gardner “Catcher of Fleas” for example.

This piece is a one-of-a-kind item depicting a man grooming a boy’s hair. It is currently listed in excellent condition on eBay for $115,000.

Meissen Shepherd and Shepherdess

Design Style More/Courtesy of eBay meissen shepherd and shepherdess

Meissen’s rare Shepherd and Shepherdess figurines come separately and are both worth a few thousand each, depending on their condition. But as a pair? The hand-painted porcelain figurines can be worth the price of a new SUV when sold together.

The pair are currently listed on eBay for $38,902.49.

Staffordshire Style Cat Figurines

Madelena Antiques/Courtesy of eBay staffordshire style cat figurines

A vibrant-colored base lays at the feet of the beige cats with caramel spots on the Staffordshire Style Cat Figurines. These mini statues stand just under 9 inches and are pretty rare.

If you have one (or more) somewhere in your home, you should consider selling them. You can grab a pair of these beautiful cats for $4,250.52 online or another white cat version for $699.

Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account

Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!2

With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!

This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.

Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.

Apply for a Discover Cashback Checking account today

Meissen Great Bustard Model

Courtesy of Christie's meissen great bustard model

The Great Bustard is a one-of-a-kind Meissen depicting a bird of the same name. It was made with a clear glaze in the early 1730s. This piece was created as one of many for the king’s Japanese palace and is in less-than-mint condition.

It is currently on display but was sold at auction in 2015 for a whopping $1,071,209.

Bottom line

fotofabrika/Adobe unpacking parcel cardboard box

Looking for ways to make extra money online? Check out your old box of collectibles or your family’s belongings for small figurines.

Something you find at home or elsewhere could make you a surprising amount of money.

SurveyJunkie Benefits

  • Over $55,000 paid to members daily
  • Earn up to $130 a month taking 4 or more surveys daily
  • $76 million paid out to date
  • 20M+ lifetime members and BBB accreditation