Human-sized Labubu doll sells for over $150,000, enters list of most expensive dolls ever sold
A life-size Labubu doll sold for more than $150,000 at a Beijing auction, making it one of the most expensive dolls in the world. The collectible joins the ranks of luxury items like diamond-studded Barbies and rare antique bears. Here is a ranked list of the world's top-selling dolls
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L'Oiseleur (The Bird Trainer) – $6,250,000. A 4-ft-tall automaton doll powered by spring-driven gears, dressed in embroidered Renaissance clothing. Created by Swiss artist Christian Bailly, the doll features singing birds, a sword, and a flute.
Madame Alexander Eloise – $5,000,000. Handmade by Madame Alexander, this doll is adorned with 9 carats of diamonds, Swarovski crystals, Christian Dior clothes, and Katherine Baumann accessories.
Barbie by Stefano Canturi – $302,500 This Barbie wears a necklace with three carats of white diamonds and a one-carat pink diamond. Sold at Christie's in New York for over $300,000. Labubu Human-Sized Doll – $150,324 The 131 cm figurine by Pop Mart set a new global record for its category at Yongle International Auction. Previously a mass-market item, its value has surged through viral celebrity endorsements and social media trends. Steiff Titanic Mourning Bear – $136,000 Manufactured to honor Titanic victims, one was auctioned for $136,000 to the Puppenhaus Museum in Switzerland. Barbie and the Diamond Castle – $94,800 Features 318 real diamonds on her dress and accessories made of diamonds and white gold. De Beers 40th Anniversary Barbie – $85,000 Dressed in an evening gown with a bikini top and 160 diamonds, designed by De Beers. Blue Ivy's Barbie – $80,000 Gifted to Blue Ivy by Beyoncé and Jay-Z, this doll is embedded with 160 diamonds and white gold jewelry. Marina Bychkova Enchanted Doll – $76,500 Realistic, hand-sculpted porcelain doll sold on eBay. Known for sensual detail and handcrafted features. Steiff Dicky Bear – $53,803 A rare collectible teddy bear from Steiff, a German toy company known for its high-end plush toys. 11. Michael Lau's Gardener Uncle – $35,000 Vinyl action figure based on a comic strip, known for urban streetwear and artistic detail. Original Barbie 1959 – $27,450 The first edition of Barbie, in mint condition, remains a favorite among vintage collectors. Original Superman Action Figure – $25,000 A prized collector's item from the 1940s, tied to the superhero's cultural impact. GI Joe Manimals Vortex – $20,000 Cancelled before release, this figure became rare and sold for $20,000 on eBay. Life-Sized Megumi Kato – $19,600 Based on an anime character, only ten units were made. Signed Bebe Mothereau – $18,500 An 1800s French doll by Alexandre Motero, noted for its rarity and wooden limbs. Barbie in Midnight Red – $17,065 A 1965 edition with a brunette twist-and-turn head and rare red dress. Pink Diamond Barbie – $15,000 Covered in rose and fuchsia diamonds, debuted at New York Fashion Week 2013. Mego Elastic Batman – $15,000 Stretch toy from 1979, discontinued due to a lawsuit, now a rare collectible. Teal Blue Farnell Teddy Bear – $11,000A pre-1920s bear in unique teal, sold at Sotheby's.
A human-sized Labubu doll was sold this week for a record 1.08 million yuan ($150,324; £110,465), according to a Chinese auction house. The 131 cm (4 ft 4 in) figurine was sold at the Yongle International Auction in Beijing. The auctioneer said it was now the most expensive toy of its kind in the world.Labubu dolls are quirky monster characters created a decade ago by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung , which have increased in popularity in recent years after a number of celebrity endorsements. Labubu dolls, sold by Chinese toy company Pop Mart , usually cost around 50 yuan. This week's auction was dedicated entirely to Labubu.Also read: What is a 'Labubu' and why has the $7,000 bug-eyed Pop Mart toy fuelled so much hype Forty-eight items were put on sale with around 200 people in attendance. The auction house said it raised a total of 3.37 million yuan.The figurines have sparked a global buying frenzy after frequently appearing in social media posts by Lisa from the K-pop group Blackpink. The soft toys became a viral TikTok trend after being worn by other celebrities including Rihanna and Dua Lipa. Former England football captain David Beckham also posted a photo on Instagram of a Labubu attached to his bag.Also read: Can a toy make you a billionaire overnight? Meet the Chinese CEO who made $1.6 billion in a day thanks to a viral doll
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Time of India
13 hours ago
- Time of India
Monsters and memes: Labubu dolls ride China soft-power wave
HighlightsPop Mart's Labubu monster dolls, priced around $40 and sold in blind boxes, have gained international popularity, featuring prominently among celebrities like Rihanna and Cher, and contributing to a positive image of Chinese cultural exports. The rise of Labubu and other Chinese brands is attributed to the influence of social media platforms like TikTok, which have helped shift perceptions of China's image among young Western consumers. Experts suggest that while plush toys alone may not enhance China's political power, they do foster a growing interest in Chinese culture, particularly among younger generations, as evidenced by the enthusiasm for Labubu in various countries. Small, fuzzy and baring sharp teeth, Chinese toymaker Pop Mart 's Labubu monster dolls have taken over the world, drawing excited crowds at international stores and adorning the handbags of celebrities such as Rihanna and Cher. 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"It might just be a matter of time before even more Chinese brands become globally recognisable," Yang said. - TikTok effect - Through viral exports like Labubu, China is "undergoing a soft-power shift where its products and image are increasingly cool among young Westerners," said Allison Malmsten, an analyst at China-based Daxue Consulting. Malmsten said she believed social media could boost China's global image "similar to that of Japan in the 80s to 2010s with Pokemon and Nintendo". Video app TikTok -- designed by China's ByteDance -- paved the way for Labubu's ascent when it became the first Chinese-branded product to be indispensable for young people internationally. Joshua Kurlantzick from the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) told AFP that "TikTok probably played a role in changing consumers' minds about China". 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While plush toys alone might not translate into actual power, the United States' chaotic global image under the Trump presidency could benefit perceptions of China, the University of Maryland's Yang said. "The connection many make between the seeming decline of US soft power and the potential rise in China's global image may reflect how deeply intertwined the two countries are in the minds of people whose lives are impacted by both simultaneously," she told AFP. At the very least, Labubu's charms appear to be promoting interest in China among the younger generation. "It's like a virus. Everyone just wants it," Kazakhstani mother-of-three Anelya Batalova told AFP at Pop Mart's theme park in Beijing. Qatari Maryam Hammadi, 11, posed for photos in front of a giant Labubu statue. "In our country, they love Labubu," she said. "So, when they realise that the origin of Labubu is in China, they'd like to come to see the different types of Labubu in China."
Hindustan Times
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Economic Times
15 hours ago
- Economic Times
Chinese customs seize 144 Pop Mart Labubu blind boxes at Wuhan Tianhe Airport
Wuhan customs officials seized 144 Labubu 3.0 blind boxes from two inbound passengers at Tianhe Airport. The figures, popular collectibles from Pop Mart, were intended for resale. The passengers chose the 'no declaration' lane and admitted to importing the goods for profit. The items are currently being held by customs Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Wuhan customs detain Pop Mart Labubu figures for suspected resale Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Customs officers at Wuhan Tianhe International Airport confiscated 144 Labubu 3.0 blind boxes collectible figures on June 17, from Pop Mart ( after identifying suspicious items during luggage scans. The incident involved two inbound passengers who used the 'no declaration' channel while arriving on a supervised international to a statement from the official WeChat account 'Customs Release,' customs authorities flagged irregular images in the luggage scans. Upon physical inspection, officials found that both individuals had packed large quantities of Pop Mart dolls, 144 units in total, all belonging to the Labubu 3.0 read: Rs 1.5 crore for a doll? The viral rise of Labubu and the madness behind it The passengers stated that the purpose of importing the Labubu figures was to assist others in bringing them into the country, with the intention to resell them for profit. As of now, the detained items have not been released and are being held in accordance with customs regulations Labubu, a product under the Pop Mart IP brand, has gained massive popularity worldwide, with collectors often queuing overnight to secure blind boxes upon release. The Labubu 3.0 series, in particular, has seen strong demand across Asia, making it a target for cross-border resale. Chinese customs regulations require individuals bringing commercial quantities of goods to declare them upon entry. The 'no declaration' channel is reserved for personal-use items within permitted limits. Failure to disclose commercial quantities may result in confiscation, fines, or further legal Mart continues to experience growth across international markets due to the success of IP figures like Labubu, Dimoo, and Skullpanda. The company has responded to increasing demand by expanding its distribution, though unauthorized resales and grey market imports remain ongoing challenges.
