Animal Figurines

Animal figures at Dims Studio cover the broad range of animal motifs for the home, from hand-painted porcelain figurines in lifelike size to animal-shaped vases and an art poster with a golden leopard. The core of the range is the Italian porcelain animals such as leopard, jaguar, tiger, lion, panther, cobra and swallow, complemented by carp figures for the wall and stoneware vases from English brand Quail. Here is an overview of types, sizes and use, so you can find the animal figures that suit your home.

Animal figures: the breadth of the range

An animal figure is a broad term for any decorative object shaped like an animal, whether it is a sculptural figure, a wall piece or a functional item such as a vase or a toilet brush holder. At Dims Studio, the focus is on the hand-painted porcelain animals from Italian family-run factories, but the range also includes animal-shaped vases in stoneware and graphic animal motifs on posters.

If the figure is to be the room's undisputed centrepiece, one of the large porcelain animals from 70 cm and up is an obvious choice. If the animal figure should instead form part of a detail among several other things, for example a vase that can also be used for flowers, one of Quail's animal vases is a good choice. See also our full range of porcelain figurines for more motifs in pure porcelain, if you are specifically looking for the classic porcelain look rather than the broader category of animal figures.

Types of animal figures

The range spans several categories of animal motifs. Below is an overview of the types that recur across the collection.

Large predators in porcelain

The core of the range is the large, hand-painted predators in porcelain: leopard, jaguar, tiger, panther and lion in sizes from 30 to 92 cm. Here you will find a prowling 88 cm jaguar, an 86 cm lion and several colour variants of leopard and panther, including pink versions with lifelike musculature. See also our range of leopard figurines, tiger figurines and panther figures for more motifs.

Reptiles and exotic animals

Beyond the mammals, the range includes more exotic motifs such as a 72 and 120 cm crocodile and a hand-painted 45 cm cobra. These figures stand apart from the classic predators and work well if you want a striking, slightly different animal motif in the home.

Birds: swallow, eagle, toucan, parrot and flamingo

The bird motifs cover both the smaller, calmer figures such as the swallow and the more stately ones such as the 30 cm eagle with outstretched wings, the toucan perched on a branch, the 51 cm parrot and the 85 cm tall flamingo. The birds suit a shelf or windowsill well, where the details can be clearly seen.

Dogs and cats as toilet brush holders

A large and functional group of animal figures is the toilet brush holders shaped as dogs and cats, where a replaceable brush is hidden in the figure's base or back. Here you will find labrador, french bulldog, beagle, boxer, pug, dalmatian, dachshund, westie and several cat figures, all around 26 to 34 cm tall.

Animal-shaped vases

English brand Quail contributes animal-shaped vases in stoneware, including a large 28 cm giraffe vase and a 22 cm hippo vase. The vases are both functional and decorative and can be used with or without flowers.

Carp figures for the wall

The carp figures from Ceramiche F.L. Orgia are porcelain figures shaped like fish in several colours and two sizes, around 30 and 39 cm, that can be hung on the wall or stand freely on a shelf. See also our range of carp figures.

Types compared

Type	Material	Suits	Examples in the range
Large predators	Porcelain	Entryway, room corner, floor	Leopard, jaguar, tiger, panther, lion
Reptiles and exotic animals	Porcelain	Striking statement along a wall	Crocodile, cobra
Birds	Porcelain	Shelf, windowsill	Swallow, eagle, toucan, parrot, flamingo
Dogs and cats	Porcelain	Bathroom, guest toilet	Labrador, pug, beagle, cat
Animal-shaped vases	Stoneware	Kitchen, windowsill	Giraffe vase, hippo vase
Carp figures	Porcelain	Wall, shelf, bathroom	Carp wall decoration

Materials: porcelain and stoneware

The two dominant materials in the range each give a different look and are used for different types of animal figures.

Porcelain

Most of the animal figures are made in porcelain at Italian family-run factories, many with more than 30 years of experience in figurative production. The porcelain goes through several firings and is then hand-painted, giving a glossy glaze and natural variations from figure to figure.

Stoneware

Quail's animal-shaped vases are made in stoneware, a sturdy and slightly heavier material than porcelain that is also waterproof and therefore suited to use as an ordinary vase with fresh or dried flowers.

How to care for your animal figures

• Wipe porcelain figures with a soft, dry cloth, and use only a slightly damp cloth with mild washing-up liquid for stains.
• Avoid abrasives, and do not wash hand-painted figures in the dishwasher, as it can damage the glaze and paint.
• Rinse animal-shaped vases with water after use as a flower vase, so no residue of flower water is left behind.
• Always lift the figure by the body, not by thin details such as ears, tail, beak or legs.

Animal figures in the home

Animal figures work best when allowed to be the room's clear eye-catcher. A large porcelain figure such as a leopard, tiger or lion in the entryway or room corner immediately sets a striking tone, while Quail's animal-shaped vases can sit on the kitchen counter or windowsill as a more everyday detail that is also functional.

If you want to style several animal figures together, feel free to mix scale and motif, for example a large predator figure on the floor with a smaller bird or vase on the shelf above. See also our wider range of decorative pieces for more ideas on styling animal motifs in the home.

For a two-dimensional complement to the sculptural figures, take a look at posters with animal motifs, such as the golden leopard poster from Atelier Imaginare, which works well above the sofa alongside one of the colourful porcelain figurines.

Interior styles with animal figures

Animal figures can be adapted to many different home styles, depending on which motifs and materials you choose. Below are some of the styles where the range really comes into its own.

Colourful and maximalist

In a home with room for colour and contrast, the large, colourful porcelain animals such as the pink leopard or pink tiger become conversation pieces that carry an entire room. Feel free to combine several large figures in different shades for a striking, maximalist look.

Classic and elegant

If you prefer a calmer, more classic look, the natural-coloured figures such as the lion, swallow and parrot suit better. Place the figure as a single, clear eye-catcher rather than in a large grouping.

Playful and everyday

Quail's animal-shaped vases are ideal if you want a more relaxed, everyday look, where the animal figure also has a practical function as a flower vase on the kitchen counter or windowsill.

Boho and natural

In a boho interior, animal figures work well alongside plants, baskets and natural materials. A bird or a carp figure on the wall supports the nature-inspired look without becoming too dominant.

Animal figures as a gift

An animal figure is a gift with both character and durability, and one that often becomes a lasting feature in the recipient's home for many years to come. A smaller figure, such as a swallow, a tiger cub or one of Quail's vases, is easy to give for most occasions, while a large porcelain figure makes a more striking gift for a milestone birthday, a wedding or a housewarming.

Consider the recipient's interior style when choosing a figure. A colourful pink leopard suits a home with room for contrasts best, while a classic lion, swallow or parrot fits into almost any home style.

Sizes: from 22 to 120 cm

The size of the animal figures determines where they work best and how many you can place together in the same room.

Small animal figures, 22 to 35 cm

The smallest animal figures, including the toilet brush holders, the 35 cm grey angora cat and Quail's 22 cm hippo vase, work well on shelves, bathroom floors and smaller groupings.

Medium animal figures, 45 to 62 cm

Medium figures such as the 62 cm leopard, the 45 cm panther, the 45 cm cobra and the 50 cm tiger cub suit well as a standalone eye-catcher on a console table or floor in a smaller room.

Large animal figures, 70 to 120 cm

The largest figures, including the 92 cm tiger, the 86 cm lion and the 120 cm crocodile, function as the room's central sculpture and need a floor area where they can be seen from several angles.

Sizes compared

Size	Typical dimension	Suits	Best as
Small	22 to 35 cm	Shelf, bathroom, kitchen	Vase or functional figure
Medium	45 to 62 cm	Console table, smaller floor area	Standalone eye-catcher
Large	70 to 120 cm	Entryway, room corner, long wall	The room's central sculpture

Maintenance over time

To keep animal figures looking good for as many years as possible, it is worth thinking about placement and handling from the start. Avoid placing the heaviest floor figures where they can easily tip or be knocked, for example close to a door or in a narrow passage. Give smaller figures and vases a fixed spot on a shelf or console table so they are not moved around unnecessarily, which reduces the risk of damage to both the glaze and details such as ears, beaks and tails.

Brands and origin

The animal figures at Dims Studio come primarily from Italian family-run factories, complemented by the English design brand Quail.

Italian porcelain factories

Most of the predators, birds, reptiles and toilet brush holders come from Italian factories, several with more than 30 years of experience in animal ceramics, where each figure is painted by hand.

Ceramiche F.L. Orgia

The Sicilian workshop Ceramiche F.L. Orgia is behind the carp figures, hand-painted in several colour variants in high-fired porcelain.

Quail

The English design brand Quail is behind the animal-shaped vases in stoneware, including the giraffe vase and the hippo vase, known for a playful, colourful look.

Which animal figure should you choose?

Situation	Our recommendation
Striking eye-catcher in the entryway	A large porcelain figure from 70 cm and up, e.g. leopard, tiger or lion
Functional decoration in the bathroom	A toilet brush holder shaped as a dog or cat
Colourful detail in the kitchen	One of Quail's animal-shaped vases
The wall in the entryway or kitchen	One or more carp figures in different colours
A different, exotic look	Crocodile or cobra
A gift for an animal lover	A smaller figure such as a swallow, tiger cub or young leopard

How to group several animal figures

If you want to achieve the best look with several animal figures in the same room, it helps to think about scale and material before you place them. Build around a clear main figure, for example a medium predator figure or an animal-shaped vase, and add a couple of smaller figures in related colours or motifs. Avoid lining the figures up in a straight row, and instead let them sit at staggered heights and distances so the group gets depth.

Feel free to mix materials to give the room variation. A porcelain figure with a glossy glaze often looks more alive when it stands next to a matter stoneware vase or a textile or plant element, rather than standing isolated alongside only other porcelain animals.

Frequently asked questions about animal figures

What is an animal figure?

An animal figure is a broad term for a decorative object shaped like an animal, whether it is a sculptural porcelain figure, a wall piece or a functional item such as a vase or toilet brush holder.

What is the difference between an animal figure and a porcelain figurine?

A porcelain figurine is an animal figure specifically made in porcelain, while animal figures more broadly cover all materials, including stoneware vases and other animal-shaped objects.

What size animal figure should I choose?

For shelves and bathrooms, figures of 22 to 35 cm suit well, while a large figure from 70 cm and up works best as the room's central sculpture with plenty of space around it.

Are all the animal figures hand-painted?

Most of the porcelain figures and several of the vases are hand-painted, which gives natural variations in colour and pattern from figure to figure, even within the same model.

Can animal-shaped vases be used for real flowers?

Yes, Quail's stoneware vases are waterproof and can be used for fresh or dried flowers in the same way as an ordinary vase.

What does an animal figure cost?

The price depends on size, material and motif. The smaller toilet brush holders and vases are typically priced lower than the large porcelain sculptures from 70 cm and up.

How do I clean an animal figure in porcelain?

Wipe the figure with a soft, dry cloth, and if needed use a slightly damp cloth with mild washing-up liquid for stains, avoiding abrasives and the dishwasher.

Can you combine several animal figures in the same room?

Yes, it is one of the best ways to style the figures. Feel free to combine different sizes and materials, for example a large predator figure on the floor and a smaller bird or vase on a shelf.

How big is the largest animal figure in the range?

The largest figure is a 120 cm crocodile, while the largest of the predator figures, the tiger, measures 92 cm.

Do the toilet brush holders work as ordinary toilet brush holders?

Yes, the figures have a replaceable toilet brush hidden in the base or back and so function fully as toilet brush holders.

Can animal figures be used as a gift?

Yes, especially the smaller figures and the vases make great gifts for animal lovers or for someone who collects characterful interior objects.

Where can you buy animal figures?

You can find a wide range of animal figures at Dims Studio, where the collection spans from large hand-painted porcelain animals to animal-shaped vases from Quail and carp figures for the wall.

Do animal-shaped vases and porcelain figurines work together in the same room?

Yes, the two can easily be combined. An animal-shaped stoneware vase provides an everyday, matte counterpart to the shinier, more sculptural porcelain figurines, which often gives a more varied and lively overall look.

Are there animal figures that suit a children's room?

Yes, the smaller and more playful figures, such as the birds and the smaller porcelain animals, fit well into a children's room, while the largest floor figures typically suit the living room or entryway better due to their size and weight.