Goebel Hummel Figurines 'Apple Tree Girl' and 'Apple Tree Boy'

A pair of authentic Hummel figurines produced by the Goebel porcelain factory in Germany. The set consists of 'Apple Tree Girl' (No. 141) and 'Apple Tree Boy' (No. 142). Both figurines are crafted from fine earthenware with a hand-painted matte finish. The 'Apple Tree Girl' depicts a young girl in a red headscarf and blue dress perched within the branches of a flowering tree. The 'Apple Tree Boy' features a young boy in a green hat, blue vest, and brown shorts seated in a tree bearing red apples. Each stands approximately 3 to 4 inches tall on an oval cream-colored base. The craftsmanship showcases the signature stylistic elements of Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel, characterized by soft, rounded facial features and a muted, earthy palette. These pieces likely date from the mid-to-short late 20th century, though a specific trademark (TMK) inspection of the underside would confirm the exact production era. The condition appears excellent with no visible chips, cracks, or significant crazing, though light surface dust is present. The painting exhibits high-quality detail consistent with original German manufacturing standards for this collectible series.

I have carefully examined the digital images of the 'Apple Tree Girl' (Hum 141) and 'Apple Tree Boy' (Hum 142) figurines. Based on my visual assessment, the pieces exhibit the characteristic charm and muted, hand-painted palettes consistent with original Goebel production from the mid-to-late 20th century. The modeling reflects the classic Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel style, and the earthenware surfaces appear free of significant crazing, chips, or restoration. While the market for Hummel figurines has softened significantly from the highs of the late 20th century, the 'Apple Tree' pair remains one of the most recognizable and desirable designs in the Goebel catalog. Currently, standard 4-inch examples commonly sell at auction and through secondary markets in the range of $50 to $80 per figurine, depending on the specific trademark (TMK) era. Notably, earlier trademarks such as TMK-2 (Full Bee) or TMK-3 (Small Bee) would command the higher end of the valuation, while later versions (TMK-6 or TMK-7) reside at the lower end. Authentication via photograph has distinct limitations; I cannot definitively confirm the age or authenticity without a clear inspection of the underside stamps and incised numbers. A physical examination is necessary to check for 'invisible' professional repairs or internal hairline cracks using UV light. For final authentication, provenance documentation or a detailed physical review of the stamp and incised 'Hum' numbers would be required to ensure these are not later reproductions or variants with specific mold defects.