Vintage German Porcelain Butterfly Figurine | Hand Painted Miniature Decor

Vintage hand-painted German porcelain butterfly figurine in red, white, and gold—a delicate miniature collectible for shelves, curio cabinets, or gifts.

Details

• Item: Hand-painted porcelain butterfly figurine
• Maker: Most likely Metzler & Ortloff, marked Germany for export
• Era: Likely 1930s–1960s
• Material: Porcelain
• Measurements: Approx. 2 inches tall x 2 5/8 inches wide

Style note

• Color palette: White porcelain with rich red detailing, warm gold accents, and fine black line work
• Design: Open-wing butterfly form with stylized eye motifs, scalloped wing edges, and gold-trimmed contours
• Finish: Glossy glazed porcelain with hand-painted decoration
• Style notes: Elegant mid-century European decorative porcelain with a delicate cabinet display feel
• Visual appeal: Small but striking, with crisp contrast between the white body and the red-and-gold wing patterning

Suggested uses: Curio cabinet display, vanity decor, spring shelf styling, butterfly collection, cottage or romantic decor accent

Condition

This figurine is in good vintage condition with age-appropriate wear visible on close inspection.

• Gilt loss and rubbing are visible along the wing edges and some raised details
• Light surface wear and minor paint wear are present, especially around the gold decoration
• The underside shows shelf wear, light discoloration, and age-related grime/residue
• A tiny dark line is visible on the base rim/underside area in the photo; from the images alone, I cannot confirm whether this is a glaze line, surface mark, or hairline, so I’m leaving that point neutral rather than guessing
• No obvious large chips or major structural breaks are visible in the provided photos

 Overall, it displays beautifully with strong color and a delicate decorative presence

✨ Collector’s Notes

Small German porcelain animal figurines have long been loved for their detailed hand-painting and refined display quality. This butterfly has especially pretty color contrast and a graceful silhouette that makes it an appealing cabinet or shelf collectible.

A charming little piece for someone who loves butterflies, porcelain, or old-world decorative details.

Please review all photos closely—they’re part of the description and show the exact item you’ll receive

Shipping + Trust (Reading Vintage standards)

∙Photo-verified condition (no surprises)
∙Packed with our protective packaging standard
∙Ships in 1 business day
∙Free Shipping on $35+ (U.S. only)

Disclaimer

All items are vintage and may show signs of age, wear, or use consistent with their history. Photos show the exact condition of each piece—please review them carefully, as they are part of the description. 

While I do my best to capture colors accurately, your monitor or device screen may display colors slightly differently from the actual item.

Please Note:
These pieces come from estate collections and have been surface cleaned. You may wish to perform additional cleaning depending on your preference.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Yes. Every photo on this page is the actual item you will receive. Not a stock photo, not a similar copy. What you see is what ships.

Honestly. This is vintage, so expect some age. When I find wear, writing, stains, loose pages, chips, or missing pieces, I note them and show them in the photos. Some marks add character. Some are just flaws. I tell you which is which so you can decide if this is the right one for you.

With care. Old books and fragile pieces are wrapped and boxed so they arrive the way they left me. Careful packing is one of the things buyers mention most in their reviews. Orders of $35 or more ship free.

Probably not. Everything here is one of a kind, and I rarely find the same item twice. Once it sells, it is gone. Vintage does not restock neatly.