Goebel Hummel Figurine: 'Puppy Love' (No. 1)

This is a vintage Goebel porcelain figurine inspired by the artwork of Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel, titled 'Puppy Love'. The piece depicts a young boy lying on his back on a grassy mound, playfully holding up a small, brown scruffy terrier-like dog. The boy wears traditional alpine-style clothing, including shorts and buckled shoes. The color palette is characteristic of mid-20th-century Hummel pieces, featuring muted, hand-painted earth tones with soft graduations of brown, tan, and cream, accented by a subtle green base and tiny orange flowers. The construction is slip-cast earthenware with a matte glaze finish, typical of the W. Goebel Porzellanfabrik factory in Germany. On the edge of the base, the incised signature 'M.I. Hummel' is clearly visible, though the image also shows secondary branding 'BERTA HUMMEL' on the front edge, which may indicate a later reproduction or a specific commemorative series. The condition appears excellent with no visible chips, cracks, or crazing, though a light layer of surface dust is present. The craftsmanship displays high-quality modeling, particularly in the expressive faces of both the boy and the puppy. Based on the style and markings, this piece likely dates from the late 20th century.

I have conducted a visual examination of the Goebel porcelain figurine 'Puppy Love' based on the provided images. The piece exhibits the fine modeling and muted palette synonymous with W. Goebel Porzellanfabrik. While the 'M.I. Hummel' signature is present, the inclusion of 'BERTA HUMMEL' branding on the base is a critical diagnostic. This indicates the piece is from the Berta Hummel Studio line, produced in the late 20th century (likely the 1990s) and manufactured in the Far East rather than exclusively in Germany. These are distinct from the 'traditional' Hummel figurines and typically hold lower secondary market value. The condition appears Excellent; the facial expressions remain crisp, and I detected no visible crazing or structural damage. However, the market for mid-to-late century ceramics has softened significantly. Large volumes of these commemorative series were produced, making them common rather than rare. Comparable sales for the Berta Hummel 'Puppy Love' variant consistently fall within the $40 to $65 range, whereas an original early TMK-2 'Full Bee' German casting would command a higher premium. Limitations: This appraisal is based solely on digital images. A physical inspection is required to check for 'invisible' professional repairs using UV light and to verify the specific backstamp (trademark) on the underside, which definitively establishes the production year. To finalize authentication, I would examine the glaze for 'ring' resonance when tapped and confirm the presence of official Goebel factory markings on the bottom of the base. Provenance documentation, such as the original box or certificate of authenticity, would support the higher end of the estimated value.