Maybe call them Christmas Gnomes. They could be used in a front entrance or large mantel display.

Wow! Those are amazing. I would think they might be worth quite a bit. The fact that the faces are ceramic makes me think they might be old. At the very least, they are exceptionally well-made. Did you post on the Antiques forum? Some of the people there have a wealth of knowledge about such things.

I wonder if they are German made or perhaps eastern European. Look for marks at the base of the back of the neck or maybe on the body. They really are exquisite and I would definitely market them as more than Christmas gnomes. The quality is far above most everything you see on the mass market. I adore that wizard and would bid on him in a heartbeat even though things like that don't usually grab me!

Please let us know if you find out anything.

They look hand-sculpted to me. They definitely seem to be one of a kind dolls. Are the eyes painted, or are they inset glass eyes?

Thanks everyone for responding. I think they are not old...there is no wear or dust or anything and they might be hand crafted - I've found doll parts for similar things on the internet, but some are made by quite well known artists...so I just don't know. The fabrics seem high quality, like the velvet feels like real silk or rayon and not velveteen. The fur vest is rabbit I think, but with a leopard print on it.

I think the eyes are painted on, but I won't be going back to volunteer until Friday and I can double check. Maybe I'll take my real camera and take some better photos.

Wow. Those gnomes are scary. It will be interesting to see what you find out about them.

rosesstink - lol. I had actually made that same comment in my first post and deleted it. The first gnome is ok but the second one is scary and I wouldn't have it in my house.

So do you all think that guy is a gnome and not a wizard? I guess I thought wizard because of the moon and stars themed velvet clothing and hat, but what do I know? That's why I'm asking here. I can't imagine what to call them for the catalog. The red one is definitely Santa.

Rosesstink and blfenton - you are too funny! I think it is my bad phone photos that make them look creepy. They aren't at all that way in person. They aren't my "thing" but they are beautiful in a way that I can appreciate.

I love them!

Try checking the back of the neck for any markings.
Sometimes the artist name and/or the date is placed there.

I saw the santa online just the other day and I swear I can't remember where. I do recall thinking the face was kind of "weird" because it's too realistic but not in a happy santa kind of way. It did creep me out.

I would just give a general description of the santa and go from there.

And it's NEVER too early to talk Christmas! I ordered Christmas gifts just the other day. Only because it takes me forever to get everything I need, plus the Christmas sales going on. :)

Thanks Dianalo, I'll check him when I go in to volunteer on Friday. And Oakley, if it comes to you about where you saw them, please repost for me. Even if I can't identify what these are exactly, I'd love to read how they describe them. I can't even google them because Santa brings up a gazillion hits. I did find some made by different people as Santa Doll Ceramic but not the gnome/wizard guy.

Oly, I just saw some similar figures in the new Neiman Marcus catalogue. Not exact, but there is a MacKenzie Childs figure that looks similar to your wizard, although not as expressive and a couple of others -don't know who made those. They are not ceramic though, but resin and plastic according to the description.

Here is a link that might be useful: Santa figure with face similar to wizard

cyn427, thanks for that lead! Looks like the prices are all over the place depending on whether they are by that one artist or not. Mine don't stand independently, so doubt they are hers, but I'm going to look for marks. If none, I can maybe use the pricing for the less expensive ones. I just have to have an "estimated" value for the catalog. Habitat for Humanity thanks you!

Olychick--given your tag, are you doing this for the Olympia Habitat for Humanity? I'm local, so am interested.

Yes, leel, they are for their fundraising dinner and auction at the end of Sept. If you're interested, email me and I can give you more info.