How to Find Confucian Figurines

Many people collect figurines that could be called "Confucian." There are many diverse motivations for seeking out these oriental icons, from whimsical interest to religious devotion. There are also many venues for the sale of Confucian-style objects both online and in the "real world." Collecting these types of figurines can be a rewarding journey.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Visit local shops. Many oriental shops exist in cities all over the world, especially in the Chinatown area of a city. Goods are shipped from the Orient for retail overseas. You can often find authentic Confucian figurines in these types of stores.

2. Find other collectors. You may be able to contact someone from an oriental country, a Confucian or a historian or expert on Confucian figurines who can point you toward local sales or contacts for figurines.

3. Try online vendors like GoAntiques to find a variety of confucian figurines. Most of these will probably be ceramic as opposed to wooden or stone. You can browse the sites of online retailers to see what kind of Confucian figurines are available. Many will provide images to help you select your purchase.

4. View online galleries. Galleries that are wholesalers of oriental figurines operate online. The comprehensive oriental gallery site EasternCurio offers an amazing range of ceramic and porcelain objects including objects inspired by Confucianism or Confucian dynasty artifacts. Search by keyword within the EasternCurio site to find figurines related to Confucianism.

5. Look on eBay. The retail giant, a relatively new force in the international marketplace, has expanded globalism in monumental ways, by making all kinds of goods available worldwide through their efficient online trading interface. Search by keyword on eBay to find a variety of Confucian objects like figurines from a wide variety of sources and sellers.

Resources

• Confucian figures at GoAntiques.
• EasternCurio figurine page: part of catalog.