{"id":4336,"date":"2026-10-09T12:04:16","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T10:04:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/?page_id=4336"},"modified":"2026-10-09T12:05:37","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T10:05:37","slug":"what-is-an-art-toy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/blog\/what-is-an-art-toy","title":{"rendered":"What is an art toy? Definition, history and why people collect them"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"pnuit\"><div class=\"page-crumbs container\"><nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\"><ol><li><a href=\"\/en\">Home<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/blog\">Blog<\/a><\/li><li><span aria-current=\"page\">What is an art toy? Definition, history and why people collect them<\/span><\/li><\/ol><\/nav><\/div><article class=\"container-narrow journal\" data-astro-cid-4cnmyude><header class=\"j-head\" data-astro-cid-4cnmyude><p class=\"j-kicker\" data-astro-cid-4cnmyude>Blog Popterror \u00b7 3 min<\/p><h1 data-astro-cid-4cnmyude>What is an art toy? Definition, history and why people collect them<\/h1><p class=\"j-meta\" data-astro-cid-4cnmyude>By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/artists#fred\" data-astro-cid-4cnmyude>Fred<\/a>, Graphic designer and art director, co-founder of Popterror \u00b7 Updated on <time datetime=\"2026-10-06\" data-astro-cid-4cnmyude>6 October 2026<\/time><\/p><\/header><figure class=\"j-hero\" data-astro-cid-4cnmyude><picture class=\"pic\"><img src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2026-eqso-pack-01.jpg\" alt=\"The 3 EQSO Series 2 art toys together: Dark Light, Xtra Red and Purple Fire\" loading=\"eager\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"sync\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" class=\"wp-image-3546\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 1200 \/ 1200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2026-eqso-pack-01.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2026-eqso-pack-01-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2026-eqso-pack-01-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2026-eqso-pack-01-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2026-eqso-pack-01-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2026-eqso-pack-01-324x324.jpg 324w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2026-eqso-pack-01-800x800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2026-eqso-pack-01-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/picture><\/figure><aside class=\"j-answer\" data-astro-cid-4cnmyude><p class=\"j-answer-t\" data-astro-cid-4cnmyude>In short<\/p><p data-astro-cid-4cnmyude>An art toy (or designer toy) is an artist-made figure produced in a limited edition, designed as an art object to display rather than as a toy. Usually made of vinyl, sometimes resin, it carries a creator\u2019s signature and is collected like an artwork. The movement was born in the late 1990s, between Hong Kong and Japan.<\/p><\/aside><div class=\"prose j-body\" data-astro-cid-4cnmyude><p>You have probably spotted these characters with bold designs, sitting on a shelf or in a concept store window, somewhere between sculpture and toy. They are <strong>art toys<\/strong>. But what turns a figure into an art toy? Where does the movement come from, and why do so many people collect them? Here is everything you need to know, with the example of our own character, EQSO.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-definition-of-an-art-toy\">The definition of an art toy<\/h2>\n<p>An <strong>art toy<\/strong> (also called a <strong>designer toy<\/strong>, or <strong>urban vinyl<\/strong>) is an <strong>artist-made figure<\/strong>: an original character, imagined by a creator, produced in a <strong>limited edition<\/strong> and designed to be <strong>displayed<\/strong>, not played with. Three things set it apart from a regular figure:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Original creation<\/strong>: it is not a copy of a film or manga hero, but an artist\u2019s universe.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Rarity<\/strong>: runs are limited, often to a few hundred copies, sometimes numbered.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Art object status<\/strong>: people choose it for its design, display it and collect it like an artwork.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure class=\"g-fig\" data-astro-cid-bi2cfy22><picture class=\"pic\"><img src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/eqso-dessins-2d-declinaisons.jpg\" alt=\"Three front-view 2D drawings of EQSO: a grey base in the centre, a black and yellow version and a pink and red version\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" class=\"wp-image-4053\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 1920 \/ 1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/eqso-dessins-2d-declinaisons.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/eqso-dessins-2d-declinaisons-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/eqso-dessins-2d-declinaisons-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/eqso-dessins-2d-declinaisons-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/eqso-dessins-2d-declinaisons-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/eqso-dessins-2d-declinaisons-800x450.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/picture><figcaption data-astro-cid-bi2cfy22>EQSO\u2019s 2D drawings, before the character went 3D: an art toy always starts with an artist\u2019s line.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"where-do-art-toys-come-from\">Where do art toys come from?<\/h2>\n<p>The movement was born in the <strong>late 1990s<\/strong>, between <strong>Hong Kong and Japan<\/strong>, when artists and designers began producing their own small-run figures inspired by street culture, hip-hop and graffiti. Hong Kong artist <strong>Michael Lau<\/strong> is often cited among the pioneers.<\/p>\n<p>In the 2000s the scene took hold: Japanese company <strong>Medicom Toy<\/strong> launched the <strong>Be@rbrick<\/strong>, a bear reinterpreted by hundreds of artists and brands, and US company <strong>Kidrobot<\/strong> popularised the <strong>Dunny<\/strong>, a rabbit silhouette artists customise. Artists such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/blog\/kaws-artist-companion\"><strong>KAWS<\/strong><\/a> brought art toys into galleries and auction houses.<\/p>\n<p>More recently, Chinese brand <strong>Pop Mart<\/strong> made the <strong>blind box<\/strong> format huge with the general public, with characters such as Molly and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/blog\/why-is-labubu-so-popular\"><strong>Labubu<\/strong><\/a>, created by the artist Kasing Lung. Today, art toys range from small figures costing a few euros to gallery pieces.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"g-fig vertical\" data-astro-cid-bi2cfy22><picture class=\"pic\"><img src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/blog-sculpture-kaws-companion-better-knowing-amsterdam.jpg\" alt=\"KAWS sculpture \u201cBetter Knowing\u201d, a black Companion with crossed-out eyes, shown on an Amsterdam street in 2015\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"2560\" class=\"wp-image-4294\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 1920 \/ 2560\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/blog-sculpture-kaws-companion-better-knowing-amsterdam.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/blog-sculpture-kaws-companion-better-knowing-amsterdam-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/blog-sculpture-kaws-companion-better-knowing-amsterdam-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/blog-sculpture-kaws-companion-better-knowing-amsterdam-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/blog-sculpture-kaws-companion-better-knowing-amsterdam-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/blog-sculpture-kaws-companion-better-knowing-amsterdam-800x1067.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/picture><figcaption data-astro-cid-bi2cfy22>\u201cBetter Knowing\u201d, a Companion by American artist KAWS shown on an Amsterdam street in 2015: the art toy at monumental scale.<span class=\"credit\" data-astro-cid-53y6z5my>Photo: Guilhem Vellut from Annecy, France, <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-astro-cid-53y6z5my>CC BY 2.0<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:KAWS_%27Better_Knowing%27_@_Sculpture_@_ArtZuid_2015_@_Amsterdam_(17911496188).jpg\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-astro-cid-53y6z5my>Wikimedia Commons<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"what-are-art-toys-made-of\">What are art toys made of?<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Rotocast vinyl<\/strong> (rotational moulding): the historic art toy material. It is cast in a heated, rotating metal mould, which gives a hollow, light and sturdy piece. It is the material of our EQSO art toys.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Resin<\/strong>: for small runs and highly detailed artist pieces, often heavier and more fragile.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Injected PVC<\/strong>: for large runs, like many blind box figures.<\/li>\n<li>More rarely: wood, metal, ceramics or plush.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure class=\"g-fig vertical\" data-astro-cid-bi2cfy22><picture class=\"pic\"><img src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/production-eqso-the-crew-pieces-violettes.jpg\" alt=\"Painted purple heads and bodies of EQSO The Crew figures, before assembly\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"2000\" class=\"wp-image-4058\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 1500 \/ 2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/production-eqso-the-crew-pieces-violettes.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/production-eqso-the-crew-pieces-violettes-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/production-eqso-the-crew-pieces-violettes-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/production-eqso-the-crew-pieces-violettes-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/production-eqso-the-crew-pieces-violettes-800x1067.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/picture><figcaption data-astro-cid-bi2cfy22>Painted heads and bodies of EQSO The Crew figures, before assembly.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"why-people-collect-them\">Why people collect them<\/h2>\n<p>Collectors\u2019 reasons are as varied as collectors themselves:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Accessible art<\/strong>: owning an artist\u2019s creation for a few dozen euros.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Design<\/strong>: strong shapes, bold colours, objects that make a room on their own.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Culture<\/strong>: streetwear, skateboarding, graffiti, manga, pop culture.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The hunt<\/strong>: limited editions, blind box secret figures, series to complete.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Community<\/strong>: trading between collectors, eagerly awaited releases, conventions.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<figure class=\"g-fig vertical\" data-astro-cid-bi2cfy22><picture class=\"pic\"><img src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/d13-drouot-popterror-10.jpg\" alt=\"EQSO art toys on a shelf among pop art works\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"1067\" class=\"wp-image-2587\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 800 \/ 1067\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/d13-drouot-popterror-10.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/d13-drouot-popterror-10-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/d13-drouot-popterror-10-768x1024.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/picture><figcaption data-astro-cid-bi2cfy22>EQSO art toys on a shelf among pop art works at the District 13 fair, H\u00f4tel Drouot.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"how-much-does-an-art-toy-cost\">How much does an art toy cost?<\/h2>\n<p>There is no standard price. A <strong>blind box<\/strong> usually costs between \u20ac15 and \u20ac25. An artist\u2019s vinyl art toy often costs between a few dozen and a few hundred euros, depending on size, run and the artist\u2019s reputation. Very rare pieces can be worth much more on the resale market.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"g-fig vertical\" data-astro-cid-bi2cfy22><picture class=\"pic\"><img src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/certificat-authenticite-art-toy-eqso-dark-light.jpg\" alt=\"EQSO Dark Light certificate of authenticity and art card\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" class=\"wp-image-4295\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 1200 \/ 1200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/certificat-authenticite-art-toy-eqso-dark-light.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/certificat-authenticite-art-toy-eqso-dark-light-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/certificat-authenticite-art-toy-eqso-dark-light-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/certificat-authenticite-art-toy-eqso-dark-light-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/certificat-authenticite-art-toy-eqso-dark-light-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/certificat-authenticite-art-toy-eqso-dark-light-324x324.jpg 324w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/certificat-authenticite-art-toy-eqso-dark-light-800x800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/certificat-authenticite-art-toy-eqso-dark-light-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/picture><figcaption data-astro-cid-bi2cfy22>The certificate of authenticity and illustrated card of the EQSO Dark Light art toy: what makes a figure a collector\u2019s piece.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"how-to-start-your-collection\">How to start your collection<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Pick a universe that speaks to you<\/strong>, rather than following the trend.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Check the edition<\/strong>: number of copies, numbering, certificate. Everything is explained in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/blog\/limited-edition-art-toys-certificate\">limited edition art toys<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Keep the box and certificate<\/strong>: for many collectors, a complete piece is worth more than a loose one.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Buy from the creator or official retailers<\/strong>, to avoid fakes.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Start small<\/strong>: a blind box lets you discover a universe before moving on to a bigger piece.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2 id=\"popterror-art-toys\">Popterror art toys<\/h2>\n<p>At Popterror, our art toys feature <strong>EQSO<\/strong>, an inhabitant of planet XO fascinated by our pop culture, imagined in Lille, France, by a father-and-son duo. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/fr\/categorie-produit\/vinyl-art-toys\">Series 1<\/a>, funded on Kickstarter in 2024, had 500 copies in total and is sold out. Series 2, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/product\/dark-light\">Dark Light<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/product\/xtra-red\">Xtra Red<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/product\/purple-fire\">Purple Fire<\/a>, is limited to 300 copies per model, in 12.5 cm vinyl, with a premium box and signed certificate. To start small, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/product\/the-crew\">EQSO The Crew<\/a> blind box starts at \u20ac18. And to learn everything about our character, read <a href=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/blog\/eqso-story\">the EQSO story<\/a>.<\/p><\/div><section class=\"j-products\" data-astro-cid-4cnmyude><h2 data-astro-cid-4cnmyude>Featured in this article<\/h2><div class=\"pn-live\">\n\n\t<div class=\"keblk keblk-v-align-top keblock-postgrid nbcol-4\" style=\"\" id=\"KPG_blkuid-2\" data-load=\"eyJwZ190eXBlIjoicHJvZHVjdCIsInBnX3R5cGVfcHJvZHVjdCI6eyJjYXQiOlsiMjYiXSwidGFnIjoiIiwiaWdub3JlIjpmYWxzZX0sInBnX3NvcnRfZmllbGQiOiJkYXRlIiwicGdfc29ydF9vcmRlciI6IkRFU0MiLCJwZ19hZmZfbmJjb2wiOiI0IiwicGdfYWZmX2xvdCI6ZmFsc2UsInBnX2FmZl9uYm1heCI6Ii0xIiwicGdfYWZmX2ZpbHRlcnMiOmZhbHNlLCJwZ19ibGtkZXNpZ25fY2xhc3MiOiJibGstdHlwZS1wcm9kdWl0IiwicGdfYmxrZGVzaWduX21hcmdpbiI6IjEwIn0=\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"postgrid-content\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"postgrid-content--header\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"postgrid-content--content\" style=\"gap:10px\">\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"kpg-block-wrapper blk-type-produit \">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"badge \"><\/div>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"kpg-block\">\t\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"visuel\" style=\"background-image:url('https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/LISTE-Dark-Light-1080X1080.jpg');\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tags\"><p style=\"background-color:#f66c57;\">Restock<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-roll\" style=\"background-image:url('https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025-eqso-dark-insitu-2.jpg');\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"content\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wrap-infos\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"learn_more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/product\/dark-light\"><h3 class=\"title\">Dark Light<\/h3><\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"price\"><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-amount amount\"><bdi>55,00\u00a0<span class=\"woocommerce-Price-currencySymbol\" translate=\"no\" dir=\"auto\">\u20ac<\/span><\/bdi><\/span><\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"desc\">EQSO Art Toy 5'' Series 2 <\/p>\t\t\t\t<!-- <div class=\"zone_cta\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"cta learn_more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/product\/dark-light\">Discover<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<!-- <a class=\"cta cart\" href=\"\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4336?add-to-cart=2862\">Add to cart<\/a> -->\r\n\t\t\t\t<!-- <\/div> -->\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div><div class=\"kpg-block-wrapper blk-type-produit \">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"badge \"><\/div>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"kpg-block\">\t\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"visuel\" style=\"background-image:url('https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/LISTE_Xtra-Red-1080X1080.jpg');\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-roll\" style=\"background-image:url('https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025-eqso-red-04.jpg');\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"content\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wrap-infos\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"learn_more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/product\/xtra-red\"><h3 class=\"title\">Xtra Red<\/h3><\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"price\"><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-amount amount\"><bdi>55,00\u00a0<span class=\"woocommerce-Price-currencySymbol\" translate=\"no\" dir=\"auto\">\u20ac<\/span><\/bdi><\/span><\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"desc\">EQSO Art Toy 5'' Series 2 <\/p>\t\t\t\t<!-- <div class=\"zone_cta\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"cta learn_more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/product\/xtra-red\">Discover<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<!-- <a class=\"cta cart\" href=\"\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4336?add-to-cart=2802\">Add to cart<\/a> -->\r\n\t\t\t\t<!-- <\/div> -->\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div><div class=\"kpg-block-wrapper blk-type-produit \">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"badge \"><\/div>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"kpg-block\">\t\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"visuel\" style=\"background-image:url('https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/LISTE_Purple-Fire-1080X1080.jpg');\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-roll\" style=\"background-image:url('https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025-eqso-purple-insitu-2.jpg');\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"content\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wrap-infos\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"learn_more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/product\/purple-fire\"><h3 class=\"title\">Purple Fire<\/h3><\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"price\"><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-amount amount\"><bdi>55,00\u00a0<span class=\"woocommerce-Price-currencySymbol\" translate=\"no\" dir=\"auto\">\u20ac<\/span><\/bdi><\/span><\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"desc\">EQSO Art Toy 5'' Series 2 <\/p>\t\t\t\t<!-- <div class=\"zone_cta\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"cta learn_more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/product\/purple-fire\">Discover<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<!-- <a class=\"cta cart\" href=\"\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4336?add-to-cart=2847\">Add to cart<\/a> -->\r\n\t\t\t\t<!-- <\/div> -->\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div><div class=\"kpg-block-wrapper blk-type-produit \">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"badge \"><\/div>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"kpg-block\">\t\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"visuel\" style=\"background-image:url('https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/2026-Blind-box-01.jpg');\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tags\"><p style=\"background-color:#f66c57;\">Blind Box<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-roll\" style=\"background-image:url('https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Popterror-TheCrew-Set-1.jpg');\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"content\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wrap-infos\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"learn_more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/product\/the-crew\"><h3 class=\"title\">The crew<\/h3><\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"price\"><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-amount amount\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><bdi>18,00\u00a0<span class=\"woocommerce-Price-currencySymbol\" translate=\"no\" dir=\"auto\">\u20ac<\/span><\/bdi><\/span> <span aria-hidden=\"true\">\u2013<\/span> <span class=\"woocommerce-Price-amount amount\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><bdi>99,00\u00a0<span class=\"woocommerce-Price-currencySymbol\" translate=\"no\" dir=\"auto\">\u20ac<\/span><\/bdi><\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Price range: 18,00\u00a0\u20ac through 99,00\u00a0\u20ac<\/span><\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"desc\">YEAH ! Our first Blind Boxes<\/p>\t\t\t\t<!-- <div class=\"zone_cta\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"cta learn_more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/product\/the-crew\">Discover<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<!-- <a class=\"cta cart\" href=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/product\/the-crew\">Add to cart<\/a> -->\r\n\t\t\t\t<!-- <\/div> -->\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n    \n\n\n<\/div><\/section><div class=\"j-faq\" data-astro-cid-4cnmyude><section class=\"faq\" id=\"faq\" aria-labelledby=\"faq-title\" data-astro-cid-hemr5th4><h2 id=\"faq-title\" class=\"faq-title\" data-astro-cid-hemr5th4=\"true\">Frequently asked questions<\/h2><details open data-astro-cid-hemr5th4><summary data-astro-cid-hemr5th4>What is the difference between an art toy and a regular figure?<\/summary><div class=\"answer\" data-astro-cid-hemr5th4><p>A regular figure often reproduces an existing character (film, manga, game) and is mass-produced. An art toy is an artist\u2019s or designer\u2019s original creation, produced in a limited edition and designed as an art object.<\/p><\/div><\/details><details data-astro-cid-hemr5th4><summary data-astro-cid-hemr5th4>Art toy, designer toy, urban vinyl: are they the same thing?<\/summary><div class=\"answer\" data-astro-cid-hemr5th4><p>Yes, with small nuances: \u201cdesigner toy\u201d is the most common term in English, \u201curban vinyl\u201d recalls the movement\u2019s early days, closely tied to street culture and vinyl, and \u201cart toy\u201d is widely used in Europe.<\/p><\/div><\/details><details data-astro-cid-hemr5th4><summary data-astro-cid-hemr5th4>Are art toys toys?<\/summary><div class=\"answer\" data-astro-cid-hemr5th4><p>Usually not: they are collectibles intended for adults and teenagers. Our EQSO art toys, for example, are for collectors aged 15 and over.<\/p><\/div><\/details><details data-astro-cid-hemr5th4><summary data-astro-cid-hemr5th4>How much does an art toy cost?<\/summary><div class=\"answer\" data-astro-cid-hemr5th4><p>Anything from around fifteen euros for a blind box to several hundred euros for an artist\u2019s small-run piece, and much more for rare editions. At Popterror, the EQSO The Crew blind box starts at \u20ac18 and our 12.5 cm art toys cost \u20ac55.<\/p><\/div><\/details><details data-astro-cid-hemr5th4><summary data-astro-cid-hemr5th4>Do art toys go up in value?<\/summary><div class=\"answer\" data-astro-cid-hemr5th4><p>Some do, especially very limited editions by sought-after artists, but it is never guaranteed. The best approach is to buy what you love, look after it and keep the box and certificate.<\/p><\/div><\/details><\/section><\/div><nav class=\"j-related\" aria-label=\"Read next\" data-astro-cid-4cnmyude><h2 data-astro-cid-4cnmyude>Read next<\/h2><ul data-astro-cid-4cnmyude><li data-astro-cid-4cnmyude><a href=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/blog\/how-do-blind-boxes-work\" data-astro-cid-4cnmyude>How do blind boxes work? Secret figures, chase figures and odds explained<\/a><\/li><li data-astro-cid-4cnmyude><a href=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/blog\/kaws-artist-companion\" data-astro-cid-4cnmyude>KAWS: from New York graffiti to the Companion, the artist who changed art toys<\/a><\/li><li data-astro-cid-4cnmyude><a href=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/blog\/limited-edition-art-toys-certificate\" data-astro-cid-4cnmyude>Limited edition art toys: edition size, numbering, certificate\u2026 what you need to know<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><p class=\"j-shop\" data-astro-cid-4cnmyude><a class=\"uibt black plein\" href=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/shop\" data-astro-cid-4cnmyude>Visit the shop<\/a> <a class=\"uibt black\" href=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/blog\" data-astro-cid-4cnmyude>All articles<\/a><\/p><\/article><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is an art toy or designer toy? Definition, history, materials, limited editions and tips to start your collection, explained in five minutes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":4318,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template-page-interne.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"","_yoast_wpseo_title":"What Is an Art Toy (Designer Toy)? | Popterror","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"What is an art toy or designer toy? Definition, history, materials, limited editions and tips to start your collection, explained in five minutes.","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_schema_page_type":"","_yoast_wpseo_schema_article_type":"","inline_featured_image":false,"popterror_auteur":"","popterror_schema":"[{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What is the difference between an art toy and a regular figure?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"A regular figure often reproduces an existing character (film, manga, game) and is mass-produced. An art toy is an artist\u2019s or designer\u2019s original creation, produced in a limited edition and designed as an art object.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Art toy, designer toy, urban vinyl: are they the same thing?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes, with small nuances: \u201cdesigner toy\u201d is the most common term in English, \u201curban vinyl\u201d recalls the movement\u2019s early days, closely tied to street culture and vinyl, and \u201cart toy\u201d is widely used in Europe.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Are art toys toys?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Usually not: they are collectibles intended for adults and teenagers. Our EQSO art toys, for example, are for collectors aged 15 and over.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How much does an art toy cost?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Anything from around fifteen euros for a blind box to several hundred euros for an artist\u2019s small-run piece, and much more for rare editions. At Popterror, the EQSO The Crew blind box starts at \u20ac18 and our 12.5 cm art toys cost \u20ac55.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Do art toys go up in value?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Some do, especially very limited editions by sought-after artists, but it is never guaranteed. The best approach is to buy what you love, look after it and keep the box and certificate.\"}}]},{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/blog\/what-is-an-art-toy#article\",\"headline\":\"What is an art toy? Definition, history and why people collect them\",\"description\":\"What is an art toy or designer toy? Definition, history, materials, limited editions and tips to start your collection, explained in five minutes.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/blog\/what-is-an-art-toy\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/blog\/what-is-an-art-toy\",\"image\":[\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/_astro\/pack-eqso-serie-2-trois-art-toys.C671ZZky_2kLGSA.jpg\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-10-06\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-10-06\",\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/fr\/artistes#fred\",\"name\":\"Fred\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/artists#fred\"},\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/#organization\"}}]","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-4336","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4336","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4336"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4336\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4395,"href":"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4336\/revisions\/4395"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4318"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4336"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}