My mom, really likes Christmas creche kind of items and displays different ones during the holiday season, so I am always on the lookout for unusual ones for her as a gift. So when I saw these nesting dolls, I ordered it. My first order, I got a set that didn't close right. The bottom was too big and top wouldn't sit square so there was always gap between top and bottom. I ordered a replacement and these came out fine! (See pictures). Now, it says they are handpainted. I believe that the original illustration was hand painted, and I think the gold background is handpainted. But the illustration on the dolls itself is not, I believe handpainted. As an old skateboard collector, I think I can tell paint from transfer. I believe these graphics are the kind of transfers that they use for skateboard decks. That is not to say it doesn't look nice, it does, but the application is a film rather than paint. So if these were to be scratched hard, they would not flake like paint, but flake like a plastic film. With that out of the way, as long as you understand this is not some craftsman painting each one (then the cost would be a lot more), but a more industrial process. The wood on my biggest doll was rough and uneven on the top, which they covered up with paint. Not a big deal, really. I think at this price, this would make a gift for a kid to play with or something to display. If you like the themed graphics and the style, then I would recommend getting it, even if it is not the most closely quality inspected.