A human-sized Labubu toy has sold for over $150,000 at a Beijing auction, setting a new record as the blind box collectible craze shifts into the realm of high-end art.
A human-sized Labubu figure has sold for 1.08 million yuan ($150,275.51) at an auction in Beijing, marking a record for the collectible toy and highlighting its transition from mass-market craze to high-value collector's item.
The sale took place at Yongle International Auction, an auction house known for fine art and jewellery, which hosted the first-ever dedicated Labubu auction. A total of 48 lots were offered, raising 3.73 million yuan in total. Around 200 people attended in person, with over a thousand bidding via the company’s app.
The top lot, a mint green 131 cm tall Labubu, is believed to be the only one of its kind and attracted several bids before reaching the final hammer price. Another standout item—a set of three 40 cm tall “Three Wise Labubu” figures made from PVC—sold for 510,000 yuan. The limited-edition set, originally released in 2017, had previously fetched HKD 203,200 ($25,889.64) at a Sotheby’s auction in Hong Kong.
Labubu was created by Hong Kong illustrator Kasing Lung a decade ago. In 2019, the character became commercially available through Chinese toy company Pop Mart, known for marketing “blind box” toys—sealed packages where buyers don’t know which figure they’re getting. In stores, these figures typically retail for around 50 yuan.
Labubu’s popularity surged internationally after Blackpink’s Lisa was seen with one of the figures and spoke fondly of it in interviews and online. British football star David Beckham also posted a photo of his own Labubu on Instagram, further boosting its visibility.
Despite the high prices, interest remains strong. A bidder identified only by the surname Du, a restaurant owner, said she had hoped to spend 20,000 yuan but was unable to secure a figure. “My child likes it, so we always buy one or two when new ones are released,” she said. “It’s hard to explain its popularity, but it must have moved this generation.”
U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to begin talks with China early next week about a potential TikTok deal, signaling progress toward resolvi...
Australia has pledged $283 million to support a green hydrogen project led by explosives manufacturer Orica, aiming to boost renewable energy producti...
An unidentified North Korean man crossed the heavily guarded land border into South Korea and is currently in custody, according to the South’s Join...
Egypt on denounced Ethiopia’s completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), warning that the move lacks any legally binding agreement an...
Australia has pledged $283 million to support a green hydrogen project led by explosives manufacturer Orica, aiming to boost renewable energy production and reduce industrial emissions.
Brazilian authorities have arrested a suspect linked to a cyberattack that diverted more than 540 million reais (about $100 million) from the country’s banking network.
An unidentified North Korean man crossed the heavily guarded land border into South Korea and is currently in custody, according to the South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Egypt on denounced Ethiopia’s completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), warning that the move lacks any legally binding agreement and undermines the water rights of downstream countries.
The European Commission is set to propose allowing carbon credits from other countries to count towards the EU’s 2040 climate target, according to a leaked internal document.
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck off Japan’s Tokara Islands on Wednesday, with no tsunami warning issued but residents advised to remain vigilant.
The United States has rescinded licensing restrictions on ethane exports to China, allowing shipments to resume after a temporary halt and signalling progress in efforts to ease recent trade tensions.
Italy plans to grant approximately 500,000 work visas to non-EU nationals between 2026 and 2028, as announced in a cabinet statement. The initiative aims to address labor shortages by expanding legal immigration pathways
A malfunction in the radar transmission system at the Area Control Center in Milan suspended more than 300 flights at the weekend, across northwest Italy since Saturday evening according to Italy's air traffic controller Enav (National Agency for Flight Assistance).
The European Union will drastically reduce imports of Ukrainian wheat and sugar, by up to 80%—to protect its farmers, a move expected to shift Ukraine's exports toward Asia and Africa.
The Bank of England has launched a public consultation on future banknote designs.
Unexpected weakness in Germany's manufacturing orders in May signals ongoing uncertainty in industrial demand, despite a yearly rise and sector-specific gains.
Oil futures fell on Friday after Iran reaffirmed its commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and amid expectations that major producers are set to agree to raise their output this weekend.
Russia actively shifted its trade focus away from Europe and the United States, redirecting it toward markets in friendly countries—primarily China, India, Central Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The share of these countries in Russia's foreign trade has increased from 46% to 82%.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment