The Motleys FAQ

The Motleys are designer collectibles created for display and collecting. Their magnetic construction allows parts to be interchanged, adding an interactive element, but they are designed primarily as contemporary collectible objects rather than toys.

The Motleys are designed for anyone who appreciates thoughtful design, craftsmanship and beautifully made objects. While they appeal primarily to adults and collectors, they are enjoyed by people who value creativity, culture and timeless design.

Every Motley is designed in London by Bright Potato Studio. Our production collection is crafted in Vietnam by skilled artisans before every piece is inspected, assembled and prepared for its new home.

People have always been at the heart of storytelling. We wanted to create objects that celebrate the diversity of humanity by representing memorable characters from different cultures, professions and moments in history. Every Motley is designed to spark recognition, conversation and emotional connection.

The natural wooden head is one of The Motleys’ signature features. Rather than hiding the beauty of the material beneath paint, we celebrate its natural grain and colour, making every piece subtly unique. Some characters are fully painted when it is essential to faithfully represent their identity.

Each Motley combines precision manufacturing with traditional hand finishing. Components are accurately machined to achieve consistent quality and perfect magnet alignment before being carefully sanded, painted, assembled and inspected by hand.

All our new releases are produced as numbered limited editions. Each piece is individually numbered and supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity, identifying both its edition and production number. Future editions may be released with design variations, ensuring every edition remains distinctive.

Every Motley is handcrafted using natural wood and finished by hand, so subtle variations in wood grain, texture and colour are to be expected. These small differences are part of what makes each piece unique.

Colours may also appear slightly different depending on your device’s screen settings and brightness. While we do our best to ensure our photographs accurately represent each Motley, slight variations between the images and the product you receive are normal.

The Motleys are designed to last for many years as display collectibles. Their protective finish helps preserve both colour and surface quality under normal indoor conditions.

We recommend displaying your Motley away from prolonged direct sunlight and heat sources, as extended exposure may gradually affect the colour of both the paint and the natural wood.

Very little. Simply dust your Motley occasionally with a soft dry cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners, excessive moisture and prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.

Yes. Every Motley is designed using a standard magnetic system, allowing heads, bodies and bases to be interchanged across the collection.

Yes. Maintaining compatibility across the collection is one of the principles behind The Motleys. Future characters will continue using the same magnetic system wherever possible.

We use powerful N52 neodymium magnets to ensure a secure connection between components. Although designed for regular handling, we recommend holding your Motley by its body when moving it, particularly larger characters.

Under normal indoor conditions, the magnets retain their strength for decades. Avoid prolonged exposure to high temperatures, moisture and strong external magnetic fields

There are no rules, but we intentionally design each character with its own distinctive colour palette and personality, making it easy to create interesting displays.

Some collectors enjoy combining contrasting colours, while others prefer building themed collections based on places, cultures or professions.

Many of our characters already belong to themed collections, and we’re always exploring opportunities to expand them. As new ideas emerge, you may see additional characters joining existing collections or entirely new themes being introduced.

For selected launches and limited editions, we may offer pre-orders through our website. Joining our newsletter is the best way to receive early access and be among the first to reserve new releases

Our newsletter subscribers are always the first to hear about new characters, limited editions, collaborations and pre-orders. We also announce new releases on social media, but our newsletter is the best way to receive early access before public launches.

The size of each First Edition varies depending on the character. Most of our initial releases are produced in batches of approximately 100 to 200 individually numbered pieces.

No. Once a First Edition has sold out, it won’t be reproduced. If a character returns in the future, it will be released as a new numbered edition with its own distinctive design details.

Every numbered Motley is supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity identifying its edition and individual production number. We’re also developing a product registration system that will allow collectors to verify and register their pieces online.

Yes. Every numbered limited edition includes a Certificate of Authenticity presented with the collectible in its packaging.

Delivery times vary depending on your location and the courier service available.

Estimated delivery times are:

• United Kingdom: 3 to 5 working days
• Europe: 5 to 7 working days
• North America: 7 to 15 working days
• South America: 10 to 20 working days
• Asia & Oceania: 12 to 20 working days

Please note that customs clearance and local courier services may occasionally cause delays beyond these estimates.

Customs charges vary depending on your country’s regulations.

For most orders shipped within Europe with a value below €150, we collect and remit VAT at checkout. Orders above this threshold, or shipments to other regions, may be subject to import duties, taxes or customs fees payable upon arrival. These charges are determined by your local customs authority and are outside our control.

Absolutely. The Motleys make thoughtful gifts for design lovers, collectors and anyone who appreciates beautifully crafted objects. If you’re sending a gift directly to someone special, we’re happy to help make the experience as memorable as possible.

Every Motley is presented in our signature presentation box, designed to protect the collectible while reflecting its premium character. Each box includes a label identifying the character inside, while selected collections and limited editions feature bespoke packaging and artwork.

Some Motleys may return in future production batches, while others may never be produced again. As many of our collections are released in limited quantities, we recommend joining our newsletter to hear about new releases and restocks before they’re announced publicly.

Possibly. Some retired characters may return in future editions, but they will always include subtle design variations that distinguish them from earlier releases. This allows every numbered edition to retain its own identity within the collection.

Absolutely. We love hearing ideas from our community, and many suggestions are added to our growing list of future characters. While we can’t promise every idea will become a Motley, every suggestion is genuinely considered.

We’re actively exploring the possibility of introducing selected characters in different sizes. While we have nothing to announce just yet, it’s something our community has requested and we’re excited to continue developing.

Although rare, damage can occasionally occur during transit. If your Motley arrives damaged, simply contact us with a few photographs of both the product and the packaging.

We’ll arrange the return and send a replacement as quickly as possible, ensuring your Motley arrives exactly as it should.

Every Motley is carefully inspected before leaving our studio, so missing components are extremely uncommon. If this does happen, please contact us and we’ll arrange a replacement promptly.