• Choose Decorative Collectibles

• Understand Decorative Collectibles

• Find Decorative Collectibles on eBay

• Buy Decorative Collectibles With Confidence

Choose Decorative Collectibles

Choose Decorative Collectibles

Discover decorative collectibles to complement the folk art, fine art, whimsical items, or inspirational items in your home. When you find an artist you like, simply look for their artwork reflected in collector plates, ornaments, figurines, and other collectible items. Artists with some of the most devoted fan bases include Norman Rockwell, Sam Butcher (the artist behind Precious Moments figurines, ornaments, and collector's plates), Thomas Kinkade, children's book illustrator Mary Engelbreit, and Sister M.I. Hummel whose art inspired Goebel and Schmid Hummel collectibles. With styles ranging from romantic to country, rustic to contemporary, you could also choose decorative collectibles that fit your home décor scheme.

• Decorative baskets: Woven baskets from companies such as Longaberger, Peterboro, Royce Craft, and Henn Workshops fit into country, folk, and rustic-themed rooms with old-world charm. Longaberger baskets gain popularity in the spring as decorative Easter baskets and are also a favorite housewarming gift.

• Music boxes: Beautiful music boxes sit neatly on shelves and can make excellent gifts for any occasion. For example, you might choose a music box that plays Happy Birthday as a birthday present or a music box that plays Ode to Joy as a graduation gift. Young children may appreciate a ballerina music box or snowglobe music box. From simple wooden boxes to figures on pedestals that turn as music plays, you can find Franklin Mint music boxes, Precious Moments music boxes, Reuge music boxes, and San Francisco Music Box Co. music boxes that play classical tunes such as Fur Elise, Ave Maria, Greensleeves, and the Nutcracker Suite as well as modern songs and Broadway hits from musicals such as The Phantom of the Opera.

• Trinket boxes: Small and dainty trinket boxes can be made of several materials, including wood, metal (such as brass, pewter, and silver), enamel, and glass. Collectors may find procelain Limoges trinket boxes and enamel Halcyon Days trinket boxes particularly appealing. Trinket boxes might feature miniature designs representing the work of an artist. For example, you can collect Precious Moments trinket boxes, Hallmark trinket boxes featuring Marjolein Bastin designs, or Flambro trinket boxes showcasing the work of Emmett Kelly Jr. Consider giving Harmony Kingdom trinket boxes, which have nature themes, to the animal lovers in your family.

• Collectible figurines: Collectible porcelain figurines and miniature sculptures are simple, yet intricate pieces of art. Some even showcase the work of a favorite artist. For example, you can find G. Armani sculptures, Precious Moments figurines, and Hummel figurines. Like Goebel Hummel and Precious Moments figurines, Snowbabies figurines by Dept 56 and HOMCO figurines also illustrate simple scenes with intricate detail. However, some collectors prefer Charming Tails figurines based on the work of Dean Griff, admiring how they evoke feelings of innocence and reflect the beauty of nature, while others embrace more offbeat Tom Clark gnome figurines. Collectors looking for unique, limited edition porcelain figurines can consider Llandro figurines and Royal Doulton figurines. Llandro figurines, handcrafted in Spain, have unique characteristics; even items from the same mold and crafted by the same artist differ. They can have a wedding theme, animal theme, or fine art theme. Stars among Royal Doulton figurines, handmade and hand painted in England, include those in the Pretty Ladies collection, with a new lady introduced each year. For a completely different look, you can also look for Swarovski crystal figurines.

• Miniature houses, villages, and lighthouses: A number of companies produce collectible villages, with each set of miniature buildings, figures, and lighthouses focusing on a specific geographic area or time period. For example, Cat's Meow Villages and Shelia's villages help you produce settings from American history while PartyLite villages recreate settings with old-world charm. For a simple rural scene, you can build a community out of Lilliput Lane cottages or David Winter cottages. Dept 56 has the largest selection of villages on eBay, most with a winter theme. For example, snow-covered Dickens Village buildings and figures suggest Victorian England, Christmas in the City village pieces create New York in the 1930s and 1940s, and The Original Snow Village evokes small town America. Lemax villages help you decorate for the season, with themes ranging from spooky Halloween motifs to festive autumn settings and winter wonderlands. You can also find villages in the same style as your favorite figurines and ornaments, including Hallmark villages and Precious Moments villages. Collectors of lighthouses or people trying to recreate a town by the sea might also like PartyLite lighthouses and villages, Thomas Kinkade lighthouses and villages, and Harbour Lights lighthouses.

• Decorative miniatures: Decorative miniatures can reflect your favorite type of art (such as Hummel miniatures), animal (Harmony Kingdom miniatures depict animals and mythical creatures), or season and can make great gifts for special occasions. For example, Willitts miniatures can feature anything from cats and dogs to shoes and chairs. The company also produces adorable Dreamsicles figures that commemorate special events such as weddings, anniversaries, graduations, and new babies. Hallmark Merry Miniatures, first introduced in 1974, can have a holiday theme, such as Valentine's Day, Christmas, or Halloween, or represent changes of season. Most Hallmark Merry Miniatures are unboxed, but you may also find Merry Miniatures boxed sets produced between 1996 and 1999. Looking for gift for a Disney fanatic? Consider Olszewski miniatures portraying scenes from famous Disney movies. Swarovski crystal miniatures also have a unique look and can add sparkle to your shelves.

• Collectible ornaments: Ornaments can set the theme of your Christmas tree or make charming decorations year-round. Simple, traditional choices include Precious Moments ornaments, Hummel ornaments, and Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments that reflect a variety of traditions. Those looking for understated elegance may want to consider silver or hand-painted fine china Lenox ornaments or simple, ivory Margaret Furlong ornaments in the shape of angles, snowflakes, and more. In 1986 collectors began discovering the joy of collecting Christopher Radko ornaments and you can find more than 10,000 designs today. These handcrafted European mouth-blown glass ornaments are painted by hand with some reflecting the holidays and others recreating retro American ornaments of the 1940s and 1950s. Looking to let loose and have some fun with your ornaments? Consider Lenox ornaments in the shape of Winnie the Pooh, Mickey Mouse, Snoopy, or Sesame Street characters or Midwest of Cannon Falls ornaments depicting Looney Tunes characters. Midwest of Cannon Falls also produces candy- and s'mores-themed ornaments.

• Collector plates: Collector plates can depict an infinite number of subjects ranging from famous movie scenes to works of art and themes such as angels, animals, castles, snowy landscapes, and fairytale characters. You can find Norman Rockwell collector plates featuring Santa, 'Gone With the Wind' collector plates, and 'Alice in Wonderland' collector plates as well as plates featuring cartoon characters. For example, you could look for Woody Woodpecker collector plates, Mickey Mouse collector plates, and Snoopy collector plates. Bing & Grondahl sold the first dated Christmas plate in 1895. With the popularity of that series, others from Royal Copenhagen, Rosenthal, Bareuther, and Svend Jensen followed. When shopping for collector plates to give as gifts, you may want to pick up collector plates from a specific year to commemorate a birth, wedding, or anniversary year.

• Nativity scenes: Nativity scenes often inspire Christmas spirit during the holidays. Companies such as Enesco, Hallmark, Roman, and Goebel produce crèches in various sizes and materials to fit your preferences. Hummel nativity scenes and Precious Moments nativity scenes can help bring a special sense of innocence to your Christmas. Newlyweds, new parents, and couples moving into a new home during the holiday season may also appreciate a Lenox nativity scene, Dept 56 nativity scene, or Heartwood Creek nativity scene as a gift.

• Plush toys: Boyds, Precious Moments, Cherished Teddies, and Hallmark produce collectible plush toys. Some, such as spring Boyds bears, mark the change of a season while others (for example, plush Hallmark ornaments) have a holiday theme. Plush toys can also make a good gift for special occasions. For example, Precious Moments plush animals make popular baby shower gifts. Plush bear collectors can find further information on evaluating teddy bears, including plush Boyds bears, in eBay's Teddy Bears Buying Guide.

For more help choosing decorative collectibles for holidays and special occasions, visit eBay's Holiday & Seasonal Collectibles Buying Guide. To determine how much you should expect to pay, search Completed Listings to find out what similar items sold for on eBay in the past 14 days.

Understand Decorative Collectibles

Understand Decorative Collectibles

Sellers often use terms to describe certain decorative collectible editions within item listings.

• Limited edition (LE): A decorative collectible may be limited by a specific, announced number (such as 5,000 or 10,000) or by time period. Limited edition collectibles typically show two sets of numbers, usually on the back or base of the item. The higher number indicates the total number produced while the lower number indicates which one you (or a seller) have. Limited editions often come with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA).

• Firing limit: Companies such as Avon, Bing & Grondahl, Bradford Exchange, Franklin Mint, Danbury Mint, Hamilton Collection, Knowles, and Royal Copenhagen can choose to set a firing limit, meaning that they only make a collector plate during a specified number of firing days. A series of collector plates with a lower firing limit typically has fewer plates produced, which often makes a plate more desirable to collectors.

• Annual edition: Annual edition collectibles are produced for one year.

• Open edition: Open edition collectibles are not limited and could still be in production.

• Artist proof (AP): Artist proof collectibles are set aside for the artist.

Other common abbreviations used in decorative collectible item listings include:

• NR: No reserve. Seller has not set a minimum price for sale.

• MIB: Mint in Box. A new, never displayed item in mint condition.

• NIB: New in Box. A new, never displayed item.

• COA: Certificate of Authenticity.

• BNB: Brand New Boxed.

• NLA: No longer available.

Reference materials can also help guide you in your quest to find the decorative collectibles you want on eBay. Popular titles include:

• Boyds Tracker Plush by Beth Phillips (editor)

• Boyds Tracker Resin by Beth Phillips (editor)

• Collecting Lladro: Identification and Price Guide, 2nd Edition by Peggy Whiteneck

• Collecting Swarovski: Identification & Price Guide by Dean A. Genth

• Collectors’ Information Bureau Collectibles Market Guide & Price Index, 19th edition

• Greenbook Guide to Department 56 Villages

• Greenbook Guide to Snowbabies

• Lladro Authorized Reference Guide

• Luckey’s Hummel Figurines and Plates: Identification and Price Guide, 12th edition by Carl F. Luckey

• Number One Price Guide to M.I. Hummel, 9th Edition by Robert L. Miller

• The Official Precious Moments Collector’s Guide to Figurines by John Bomm and Malinda Bomm

• The Official Precious Moments Collector’s Guide to Company Dolls by John Bomm and Malinda Bomm

• Price Guide to Contemporary Collectibles and Limited Editions, 9th edition, by Mary L. Sieber (editor)

• Royal Doulton Figurines: A Charlton Standard Catalog, 10th edition

• Whimsical World of Boyds Bears: 25 Years and Counting by Susan K. Elliott

Find Decorative Collectibles on eBay

Find Decorative Collectibles on eBay

Once you know what type of decorative collectibles you need, go to the Collectibles category portal, click Decorative Collectibles, and start searching for items on eBay.

• Categories: The Categories list on the left side of the page will help you narrow down decorative collectible listings by brand. Subsequent Categories lists will help you narrow listings even further by item type.

• Keyword search: Search eBay listing titles for specific words. For example, if you want to find a Royal Copenhagen 1970 Christmas plate, type "royal copenhagen 1970 christmas plate" (without quotation marks) into the Search box. Click "Search title and description" to expand your results. Remember to use a "+" between consecutive words in a keyword phrase. After conducting your initial search, try misspelling the name of the item you desire, trying several variations. You'll likely come across additional listings. Visit eBay's Search Commands page for more tips on searching with keywords.

• Advanced search: eBay's Advanced Search feature allows you to conduct a more precise search and gives you the option to search by seller, buyer, or store. You can also narrow results to "All of these words," "Any of these words," or "Exact phrase." Search All Categories to find decorative collectibles listed in multiple categories and subcategories on eBay including Antiques, Collectibles, Dolls & Bears, Home & Garden, Pottery & Glass, and Toys & Hobbies.

If you can't find exactly what you want, try shopping eBay Stores, tell the eBay Community what you want by creating a post on Want It Now, or save a search on My eBay and eBay will email you when a match becomes available.

Buy Decorative Collectibles With Confidence

Buy Decorative Collectibles With Confidence

Before making your purchase, make sure you know exactly what you're buying, research your seller, and understand how eBay and PayPal protect you.

Know your purchase

Carefully read the details in item listings.

• Figure delivery costs into your final price. If you spend a lot of money, make sure the seller will insure the item when it ships.

• If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile.

• Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay are not covered by eBay protection programs.

• Never pay for your eBay item using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

• What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

• What do buyers say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?

• Most top eBay sellers operate like retail stores and have return policies. Do they offer a money-back guarantee? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, eBay and PayPal are there for you.

• Pay safely with PayPal: PayPal enables you to pay without the seller ever seeing your bank account or credit card numbers. In fact, PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorized payments from their accounts. Plus, with PayPal Buyer Protection, your purchase can be covered up to $1,000.

• eBay Security & Resolution Center: Visit the Security & Resolution Center to learn how to protect your account and use eBay's quick and efficient resolution tools.