Goebel Hummel Figurine: School Girls / First Day at School

This is a vintage polychrome porcelain figurine by Goebel, depicting two young girls on their way to school. The piece is crafted in the iconic M.I. Hummel style, characterized by its soft, muted earth tones and use of hand-painted matte glazes. One girl wears an orange-terracotta dress and carries a large green 'Schultüte' (school cone), while the other wears a blue dress with a white patterned apron, holding a small green bowl and a wicker basket containing another school item. The figures exhibit the classic wide-eyed, innocent facial features synonymous with Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel's sketches. The figurine stands approximately 4 to 5 inches tall on an integrated cream-colored oval base. Construction is slip-cast earthenware with high-quality glazing. Notable features include the textured wicker basket and the red hair ribbons. While the bottom mark is not visible, the style suggests a production date between the 1960s and 1990s. The condition appears excellent with no visible chips, cracks, or significant crazing, though light shelf wear is expected on the unglazed foot rim. The craftsmanship shows high attention to detail in the brushwork, particularly in the fine lines of the hair and the patterns on the apron.