Another that will help you greatly is www.antique-shop.com !! It is my main forum and has members worldwide !! It is like one big family there and the members are all happy to help you get started !! Ask any question and someone there usually will know the answer !! They have some of the best researchers on the internet !! We do not consider any question to be trivial or useless !! I think you will enjoy the Q&A forum !!
Can you show a pic of the figurine ?? It may be a nice one,, can`t tell without seeing it !! Don`t feel bad about making a common error !! I can`t tell you how many I have made !! But with each one I learned what not to do !! At least here we can help you make the correct choices before you spend your money !!
#1, If someone tells you a piece of pottery/porcelain is “original” ask what they mean by that and make them explain !! An original piece of art means that was the first done by the artist hand and signed by the artist !! Like the Mona Lisa is an original by Leonardo Da Vinci is an original !!
But that is a term rarely used with pottery or porcelain because the factory never makes just one !! These things were made to sell and making a mold for one would be cost prohibitive !! A mold made piece will always have a hole in the bottom !! Otherwise the piece would explode in the kiln !! Old items usually have a very small hole,, more modern pieces have a large hole !! If you have questions just post them here !! I will be happy to help you make good choices for your collection !! If I don`t know,,I will find out !!
