Chris Tsao wrote:

What does it mean when something like this is advertised as "hand-
painted"? Does it mean that it's done with a stencil? Or does it mean
that the drawings are mechanically imprinted onto the object and
someone colors it in with their hand?

My guess is that things would cost more if they were really hand-
painted.

http://www.talaveraemporium.com/imag...337_medium.jpg


Either one could apply. Your image is too small to see detail, but the
style is one most commonly painted by hand with brush-applied colors.
The same style has colors that tend to be somewhat transparent, so that
overlapping brush strokes can be seen. Your image could also be just a
decal-type transfer ... if you cannot see brushstrokes, or see a pattern
in the colors, it is more likely (not absolutely) a decal.