Porcelain Figures

Porcelain figurines at Dims Studio are sculptural animal figures and wall pieces in hand-painted Italian porcelain and ceramic. The range spans from large leopards, jaguars and tigers up to 120 cm to swallows, parrots and carp figures for the wall. Here is a guide to types, sizes, materials and use, so you can find the porcelain figurine that suits your home.

Porcelain figurines: how to choose the right one

A porcelain figurine is a sculptural animal figure that is shaped, fired and hand-painted in porcelain or ceramic. The figurines in the range are made at Italian family-run factories, often with decades of experience in figurine production, and each figure goes through several firings before it is hand-painted in its final pattern. This means no two figures are ever quite the same, even within the same model.

Consider whether the figure should be the room's central eye-catcher, or whether it should form part of a grouping with several smaller figures. A large floor figure of 86 to 120 cm carries a corner or an entryway on its own, while several smaller porcelain animals from 30 to 50 cm create a curated, cohesive effect on a shelf or console table.

Types of porcelain figurines

The Dims Studio range covers several motif types, from predators to birds and fish. Below is an overview of the types that recur across the collection.

Large predators: leopard, jaguar, tiger and panther

The most striking group of porcelain figurines is the large predators. Here you will find leopard figures from 30 to 86 cm, including pink leopards, jaguar figures in natural, prowling poses up to 88 cm, tiger figures from a 31 cm tiger cub to a large 92 cm tiger, and black panthers with green eyes in 45 and 86 cm. Common to the group is that each figure is hand-painted spot by spot or stripe by stripe, so the pattern varies from figure to figure.

Carp figures for the wall

The carp figures from Ceramiche F.L. Orgia are porcelain figures shaped like fish that can both be hung on the wall and stand freely on a shelf. They come in a small size of around 30 cm and a large size of 39 cm, and in several colour variants such as orange and red, blue, white and orange, and yellow and white. See also our range of carp figures for more fish for the wall.

Birds: swallow, parrot, toucan and flamingo

The bird motifs include the hand-painted swallow, a 51 cm parrot, a toucan perched on a branch and a stately 85 cm flamingo. The birds suit a windowsill or shelf well, where sunlight can bring out the details in the glaze.

Crocodile and rhino

For a more exotic look, the range also includes a 72 cm crocodile and a large 120 cm crocodile, as well as a rhino shaped as a wall piece in white porcelain. These figures work well as striking standalone objects along a wall or in a spacious entryway.

Toilet brush holders with animal motifs

A functional group of porcelain figurines is the toilet brush holders, where the figure conceals a replaceable brush in its base or back. Here you will find labrador, french bulldog, beagle, boxer, elephant, pig, cat and tiger, all around 28 to 31 cm tall and hand-painted at an Italian factory.

Fruit and moon wall pieces

In addition to the animal figures, the range includes ceramic figures shaped as fruit and vegetables, including a giant 46 cm lemon and a carrot figure, as well as moon wall pieces with sleeping faces in blue and yellow tones, hand-painted by an Italian family-run workshop.

Types compared

Type	Expression	Suits	Examples in the range
Large predators	Striking, sculptural	Entryway, room corner, floor	Leopard, jaguar, tiger, panther
Carp figures	Colourful, maritime	Wall, shelf, bathroom	Carp wall decoration, small and large
Birds	Light, lifelike	Windowsill, shelf	Swallow, parrot, toucan, flamingo
Crocodile and rhino	Exotic, statement	Long wall, spacious entryway	Crocodile 72 and 120 cm, rhino wall piece
Toilet brush holders	Functional, playful	Bathroom, guest toilet	Labrador, elephant, tiger, cat
Fruit and moon	Colourful, playful	Kitchen, children's room	Giant lemon, moon wall piece

Materials: porcelain, ceramic and faience

The material determines how detailed and durable a figure is. Below is a rundown of the materials you will find in the range.

Porcelain

Most of the animal figures are made in porcelain, a dense and durable material that preserves detailed painting for many years. The porcelain gives the figures a glossy, smooth glaze that highlights patterns such as the leopard's spots or the tiger's stripes.

Ceramic and faience

The fruit and vegetable figures, the carp figures and some of the wall pieces are made in heavier ceramic or Italian faience. The material is slightly heavier than porcelain and gives a more handmade and rustic expression.

How to care for your porcelain figurines

• Dust the figures regularly with a soft, dry cloth to remove dust.
• Remove stains with a slightly damp cloth and mild washing-up liquid, never with abrasives or harsh cleaning products that can scratch the glaze and paint.
• Do not wash hand-painted figures in the dishwasher, as heat and rinsing can damage the painted finish.
• Always lift the figure by the body, never by smaller details such as ears, tail or legs, when moving or dusting it.

Porcelain figurines in the home

Porcelain figurines work best as sculptural eye-catchers, where they can be seen from several angles in the room. A large leopard or tiger placed in the entryway or room corner often becomes the first thing guests notice, while a group of smaller figures on a shelf creates a calmer, more curated look.

Feel free to combine several animal types for a cohesive, zoological look, for example a leopard alongside a parrot or a toucan, or let a single, characterful figure stand alone in an otherwise minimalist room. See also our wide range of animal figures and leopard figurines for more motifs in the same category.

The carp figures and the birds work well as wall pieces, where they can be hung individually or grouped together for a more dynamic look. See ceramic wall hangings and the wider range of wall decoration for more ideas for the wall.

Interior styles with porcelain figurines

Porcelain figurines fit into many different interior styles, depending on how they are placed and combined with the rest of the home. Below are some of the styles where the figures really come into their own.

Colourful and curated

In homes where animal motifs and artistic craftsmanship already have a natural place, the porcelain figurines become conversation pieces and characterful accents. Feel free to mix several colours and sizes, for example a pink leopard alongside a classic orange and black tiger.

Retro and art deco

Classic animal figures such as the leopard and panther with a polished, sculptural expression add particular impact in a retro- or art deco-inspired living room, where the figure can stand alone as a statement piece next to furniture in dark woods or brass.

Boho

In a boho style, porcelain figurines find natural ground among other ceramic objects, textiles and plants. Feel free to combine a bird or a carp figure with green plants and natural materials for a relaxed, layered look.

Scandinavian minimalism

Even in a minimalist and understated home, a single characterful figure can be allowed to stand freely on an otherwise empty floor area or console table, where it becomes the room's one clear eye-catcher without competing with other details.

Sizes: from 28 to 120 cm

The size of a porcelain figurine has a big impact on where it works best and how many figures you can group together.

Small figures, 28 to 31 cm

The smallest figures, including the toilet brush holders and the tiger cubs, work well as an accent on a shelf, a bathroom floor or in a grouping with several small figures.

Medium figures, 45 to 62 cm

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

Large figures, 70 to 120 cm

The largest figures, such as the 92 cm large tiger, the 86 cm large leopard and the 120 cm crocodile, function as the room's central sculptural object and typically need a floor area where the figure can be seen from several angles.

Sizes compared

Size	Typical dimension	Suits	Best as
Small	28 to 31 cm	Shelf, bathroom, grouping	Accent 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

A rule of thumb is that the larger the figure, the more space it needs around it, so it can be seen as a standalone object rather than just one item among many others.

Porcelain figurines as a gift

A porcelain figurine is a gift with both character and durability, and one that often becomes a lasting feature in the recipient's home for many years. A smaller figure of 28 to 45 cm, such as a young leopard or a swallow, is easy to wrap and suits most occasions, while a larger figure makes a more striking gift for a wedding, a housewarming or a milestone birthday.

If you choose a figure as a gift, it can help to consider the recipient's interior style. A colourful pink leopard suits a home with room for contrasts best, while a classic black panther or a lifelike swallow works in almost any type of home.

Workshops and origin

The porcelain figurines at Dims Studio are made at Italian family-run factories and workshops, several of which have more than 30 years of experience with figurative porcelain.

Italian figurine factories

Most of the predator figures, the birds, the crocodiles and the toilet brush holders come from Italian factories with long experience in animal ceramics, where each figure is painted by hand, giving natural variations from piece to piece.

Ceramiche F.L. Orgia

The Italian workshop Ceramiche F.L. Orgia is behind the carp figures for the wall, hand-painted in several colour variants and made in high-fired porcelain in Sicily.

Caja Company

The Italian brand Caja Company contributes the sculptural lobster figure in hand-painted faience, showcasing the brand's broader focus on figurative kitchen ceramics.

Which porcelain figurine should you choose?

Situation	Our recommendation
Striking eye-catcher in the entryway	A large leopard, tiger or jaguar from 70 cm and up
Calm grouping on a shelf	Several smaller figures from 28 to 45 cm, e.g. a tiger cub and a bird
The wall in the kitchen or bathroom	One or more carp figures in different colours
A fun detail in the guest toilet	One of the toilet brush holders with an animal motif
A colourful touch in the kitchen	Giant lemon or carrot figure in ceramic
A gift for someone who loves animals	One of the smaller porcelain figurines, e.g. a swallow or a young leopard

Groupings and styling several figures

If you want to achieve the best look with several porcelain figurines, there are a few simple tricks that can help. Build around a clear main figure, for example a medium leopard or tiger, and add a couple of smaller figures in related colours or motifs, such as a bird or a smaller animal figure. Avoid lining all the figures up in a straight row, and instead let them sit at staggered heights and distances so the group gets depth and reads as a whole rather than random single pieces.

Also think about the surface. A figure placed directly on the floor often carries more weight and presence, while a figure on a console table or shelf becomes lighter and more a part of the rest of the interior. Feel free to use a single plant or a bowl as a counterweight to the animal figure, so the overall look does not become too heavy.

Frequently asked questions about porcelain figurines

What is a porcelain figurine?

A porcelain figurine is a sculptural figure that is shaped and fired in porcelain or ceramic and then hand-painted. The Dims Studio range consists primarily of animal figures in different sizes.

What size porcelain figurine should I choose?

It depends on where the figure will stand. For a shelf or a bathroom floor, a figure of 28 to 31 cm works well, while a large figure from 70 cm and up works best as the room's central sculpture with space around it.

Are the porcelain figurines hand-painted?

Yes, the vast majority of figures are hand-painted at Italian factories, which means the pattern and colour can vary slightly from figure to figure, even within the same model.

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

Porcelain is a denser and more durable material than ordinary ceramic and typically gives a shinier, more detailed glaze, while ceramic figures often have a more rustic, handmade look.

Can porcelain figurines be used outdoors?

The figures are intended for indoor use. Avoid direct rain and frost, as temperature swings and moisture can damage both the glaze and the porcelain over time.

How do I clean a porcelain figurine?

Wipe the figure with a soft, dry cloth, and if needed use a slightly damp cloth with mild washing-up liquid for stains. Avoid abrasives, and never wash hand-painted figures in the dishwasher.

What is a carp wall decoration?

It is a porcelain figure shaped like a fish that can be hung on the wall or stand freely on a shelf. The carp figures in the range come in several sizes and colour variants from the Sicilian workshop Ceramiche F.L. Orgia.

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, so they are fully functional while also being a decorative touch in the bathroom.

Can you combine several porcelain figurines on the same shelf?

Yes, it is one of the best ways to style the figures. Feel free to combine different animal types and sizes for a varied, zoological look.

How big is the largest figure in the range?

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

Can porcelain figurines be used as a gift?

Yes, especially the smaller figures from 28 to 45 cm are ideal gifts for animal lovers or for someone who collects characterful interior objects.

Where can you buy porcelain figurines?

You can find a wide range of porcelain figurines at Dims Studio, where the collection spans from large hand-painted predators to carp figures, birds and functional toilet brush holders, all made at Italian workshops and factories.

Can porcelain figurines be used outside the living room and entryway?

Yes, smaller figures and carp figures also work well in the kitchen or bathroom, while the larger animal figures typically need more floor space and so suit an entryway, living room or a spacious corner best.