The Valuable Figurine At The Thrift Store That Collectors Are Always Looking For

Scanning shelf after shelf of ceramics and pottery at the thrift store in search of valuable figurines takes patience and a well-trained eye. There's a difference between finding the perfect pot for a bare spot on the shelf in the living room and recognizing a rare ceramic that's a collectible work of art. Herend figurines, made and painted by hand, are sought-after works of art that collectors and dealers are always looking for. The colorful, distinctive pieces stand out on thrift store shelves among the lovingly made ceramics class vases and knockoff Roseville reproductions. Whether you're looking for thrift store figurines to use as adorable decor or hoping to score a valuable find, Herend fits the bill.

The Herend Porcelain Manufactory, founded in 1826 in what was then the Austro-Hungarian Empire, is still in business in the same village in what is now Hungary. The well-known fishnet pattern used on many of the pieces is accomplished by laying a net of porcelain thread on the figurine and then painting the thread. Not all Herend porcelain has the fishnet pattern, and not all Herend products are figurines, but expect to see bright colors and natural motifs like flowers on most. The company's dinnerware is also highly collectible. The pattern, the vivid colors, and the obvious craftsmanship are ways to identify authentic vintage pottery. Herend porcelain pieces can also be identified by the company's maker's mark on the base. Figurines have the company's trademark, the word Herend or Herend Hungary, followed by a series of numbers ranging from from 05000-0-00 to 05999-0-.

Herend figurines with the fishnet pattern are among the most collectible, but what is known as the Rothschild Bird is a real prize. The pattern is frequently seen on dinnerware, but as a figurine it was a favorite of Queen Victoria. Other collectible vintage Herend figurines are the Chinese Bouquet, uncommon animal figurines like lions and elephants, and pieces that nodded to history, like small statues of Napoleon and his wife, Josephine. As with any collectible, the value of a Herend figurine depends on its age, condition, rarity, and demand. In 2026, a lobster figurine with the fishnet pattern sold for $325 at auction while in 2019, a fishnet-patterned elephant figurine sold for $1,300 at auction. A rare figurine created to commemorate the 1936 Olympics sold on eBay for $1,990 in February of 2026.

Keep in mind when you're at the thrift store that Herend is still in production, and the new pieces are pricey. A small lamb figurine with the fishnet pattern retails for $415, and a large moose with gold antlers sells for $5,375, so finding a Herend figurine for a couple of bucks while you're thrifting is quite a steal. The company still puts its mark on the bottom of every piece; check for it if you have doubts about the figurine's authenticity. Remember that if the porcelain figurine you found at the thrift store is cracked, you may be able to repair it, but the damage will reduce its value.