Precious Moment Inspiration I

Precious Moments is widely known as a series of collectible porcelain bisque figurines. The original artwork was created by the American illustrator Sam Butcher in the 1970s. The figurines depict young children with distinctive teardrop-shaped eyes, and are often accompanied by inspirational messages which are also found on the products.



Alongside Spain's Lladro and Germany's M.I. Hummel, Precious Moments is one of the few porcelain figurine brands still alive in the 21st century. It is also the brand name for a series of giftware and collectibles licensed by Precious Moments, Inc (a.k.a. PMI) based on the same artworks by Sam Butcher.



Some have observed similarities in design with Margaret Keane's paintings of waifs or with Japanese Anime with their large sorrowful eyes.



Artistic Value
As most Precious Moments licensed products are mass-produced, their value as "art" is relatively low compared to traditional paintings and sculptures. Many critics point out that the whole imagery of Precious Moments is kitsch and is intended for a market which disregards traditional artistic values. As with many other consumer goods, the big-eyed aesthetic has been a target of derision among students of traditional art.

The monetary value of Precious Moments products in the aftermarket is varied. Many of the products are resold at a lower price than the original MSRP, but in some cases, items with a higher perceived value are traded at inflated prices. The Internet auction house eBay maintains a distinct category for these collectibles.