If you're a fan of delicate, finely crafted porcelain, you've almost certainly come across the charming figures from NAO. Known for its elegant miniatures of children, animals, and sweet, whimsical scenes, NAO strikes a perfect balance between high-end craftsmanship and an accessible price point, typically ranging from $30 to $150.
Their pieces add a touch of innocent, timeless beauty to any shelf or mantelpiece. For those who love NAO's signature blend of quality and charm, and are looking to expand their collection or find the perfect gift, here are 16 similar brands worth exploring.
1. Lladro
Often considered the luxury counterpart to NAO, Lladro is world-renowned for its exquisite, handcrafted figurines. Their pieces showcase incredible intricacy and often feature a signature smooth, pastel finish. You'll find similar themes of childhood, romance, and nature, but with a more opulent and artistic expression that appeals to serious collectors.
With prices starting around $200 and reaching well into the thousands, Lladro is a significant step up in cost. If you admire NAO's style but are looking for a show-stopping, heirloom-quality centerpiece, Lladro is the ultimate aspirational choice.
Shop now at lladro.com
2. Royal Doulton
With a rich British heritage, Royal Doulton offers a wide range of elegant porcelain figurines, from historical characters to contemporary designs. Their collections, like the iconic HN series "ladies," are celebrated for their detailed artistry and classic charm, making them a staple for collectors for generations.
Priced similarly to NAO, from around $50 up to $1,000 for more sought-after pieces, Royal Doulton provides a great alternative. They share NAO's commitment to charm and craftsmanship but often lean into a more classic, distinctly English vintage aesthetic.
Shop now at royaldoulton.com
3. Noritake
While primarily known for fine dinnerware, Noritake also produces beautiful collectible figurines. Their pieces often draw inspiration from nature, romanticism, and fairy tales, showcasing the brand's signature elegance and detailed artistry. The style is typically more traditional than NAO's playful innocence.
With prices in the $40 to $300 range, Noritake is a wonderful mid-range alternative. Both brands emphasize delicate details and high-quality porcelain, but Noritake's designs bring a classic, romantic vibe to the table.
Shop now at noritakechina.com
4. Herend
Hailing from Hungary, Herend is a luxury porcelain brand praised for its hand-painted figurines, often adorned with its iconic fishnet pattern. Each piece is a testament to meticulous craftsmanship, making them highly sought-after by collectors for their heirloom quality and artistic flair.
Herend is a premium brand, with prices starting at $300 and often reaching into the thousands. While significantly more expensive than NAO, it’s a comparable choice for those who are passionate about the artistry of fine porcelain and want a unique, statement piece with unparalleled detail.
Shop now at herend.com
5. Meissen
As one of Europe's oldest porcelain manufacturers, Meissen is synonymous with regal and historically significant art. Their figurines are known for unparalleled detail, often depicting mythology, courtly life, and nature with extraordinary hand-painted precision. They are true works of art, steeped in history.
This is a luxury brand, with pieces ranging from $300 to over $20,000. While both NAO and Meissen create collectible porcelain, Meissen targets the high-end art collector with formal and historical themes, offering a glimpse into the grand tradition of European porcelain.
Shop now at meissen.com
6. Royal Albert
Royal Albert is famous for its quintessentially English, floral-forward designs. Their porcelain figurines echo the romantic, Victorian-inspired aesthetic of their beloved dinnerware, often featuring delicate scenes and beautiful botanical motifs. The vibe is charming, nostalgic, and gracefully elegant.
Priced between $50 and $300, Royal Albert fits comfortably in the same collectible zone as NAO. If you appreciate NAO’s gentle style but are drawn to vintage English elegance and romantic florals, this is the perfect brand for you.
Shop now at royalalbert.com
7. Beswick
Beswick is a beloved British brand specializing in highly realistic animal and character figurines. From Beatrix Potter characters to intricately modeled horses and birds, they are known for their exceptional attention to detail and ability to capture the lifelike spirit of their subjects.
Their price point, generally from $30 to $200, makes them an accessible option, much like NAO. While the subject matter is different - focusing on realism and nature over whimsical human scenes - both brands share a deep commitment to high-quality porcelain modeling and have strong collectible appeal.
Shop now at replacements.com/china-beswick
8. Royal Copenhagen
The iconic Danish brand Royal Copenhagen is celebrated for its hand-painted porcelain, especially its famous blue-and-white patterns. Their figurines embody a sense of serene, romantic beauty, depicting everything from beloved characters to graceful animals with a distinctively Scandinavian touch.
Prices typically fall between $150 and $2,000, placing them in a more premium category than NAO. However, their elegance and masterful craftsmanship make them a worthy comparison for anyone who appreciates NAO's artistry but wants a piece with a soft, minimalist aesthetic.
Shop now at royalcopenhagen.com
9. Spode
Spode is another historic English brand known for its classic designs that have graced homes for centuries. While mainly focused on tableware, they also offer collectible porcelain decor and figurines, often associated with their iconic patterns like Blue Italian or nostalgic holiday collections.
Ranging from about $50 to $250, Spode figurines are a wonderful alternative for those who love timeless home accents. They offer a strong heritage feel that is more traditional than NAO's delicate miniatures but shares the same commitment to enduring quality and elegance.
Shop now at spode.co.uk
10. Belleek Pottery
From Ireland comes Belleek Pottery, famous for its incredibly fine, almost translucent Parian china. Their figurines and decorative items are extremely delicate and often feature intricate basketweave textures and nature-inspired Irish motifs like shamrocks. Each piece has a unique, handcrafted, and ethereal quality.
With prices from around $100 to $1,000, Belleek sits in a higher price bracket than NAO. However, if you're drawn to the detailed craftsmanship of NAO figures, you'll be captivated by the artisanal, almost fragile beauty of Belleek.
Shop now at belleek.ie
11. Lenox
Lenox is a pillar of American fine china, known for its classic and refined aesthetic. The brand produces a beautiful range of collectible porcelain figurines, often ivory-hued with 24-karat gold accents. Their collections frequently feature themes of wildlife, floral bouquets, and elegant characters for every holiday and season.
Priced accessibly from $50 to $300, Lenox is a direct competitor to NAO. It offers a similar appreciation for detailed craftsmanship but with a distinctly classic American style that is perfect for traditional home decor and thoughtful gifting.
Shop now at lenox.com
12. Crown Staffordshire
Crown Staffordshire is a classic English pottery brand, particularly cherished by collectors for its beautiful bone china floral pieces and charming bird figurines. While many of their patterns are now found on the secondary market, they represent traditional British design at its most whimsical.
You can find wonderful pieces in the vintage market for $40 to $200, putting it in a similar category as NAO. For lovers of NAO's gentle themes, Crown Staffordshire offers a lovely alternative with a focus on romantic floral and naturalist subjects.
Shop now at replacements.com/china-crown-staffordshire
13. Royal Doulton Bunnykins
A delightful sub-brand of Royal Doulton, Bunnykins focuses entirely on adorable figurines and tableware featuring a classic family of rabbits. These pieces are intended to celebrate childhood, from births to birthdays, and are bursting with whimsical, playful personality.
Priced from $50 to $300, Bunnykins items are right in line with NAO. If you love the innocence and charm of NAO's figurines of children, Bunnykins offers a similarly heartwarming aesthetic but with a more iconic, storybook-style character at its heart.
Shop now at royaldoulton.com/bunnykins
14. Gien
Gien is a prestigious French porcelain maker creating an array of elegant decorative pieces and tableware. Their style is refined yet vibrant, often featuring colorful florals, birds, and classic motifs that feel both artistic and timeless. Their pieces bring a sense of French country charm to any room.
Compared to NAO, Gien maintains a similar price point, typically ranging from $50-$200 for decorative items. It's an excellent choice if you're seeking the same level of quality and artistry as NAO but prefer something a bit more colorful and painterly in style.
Shop now at gien.us
15. Villeroy & Boch
Villeroy & Boch is a German brand that blends modern and traditional European design across its vast range of ceramic and porcelain products. Their decorative figurines and collectible series often touch on seasonal, pastoral, or floral themes, executed with clean lines and enduring style.
Their pieces range from an affordable $50 to around $300, making them a very suitable alternative to NAO. They share NAO’s focus on gentle elegance but offer a much broader style spectrum, from rustic and folksy to sleek and modern.
Shop now at villeroy-boch.com
16. Goebel (Hummel)
Goebel is the historic German company famous for producing M.I. Hummel figurines. These cherished collectibles, based on the drawings of Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel, depict cherubic children in rustic settings and are defined by their soft, earthy colors and nostalgic warmth.
With a price range of $50-$400, Hummels are squarely in the collectible category. Like NAO, they focus on the innocence of childhood. However, Hummel figurines possess a very distinct, sentimental German folk-art aesthetic that stands apart from NAO’s smoother, more classic porcelain style.
Shop now at goebel.de
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