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.

I have conducted a visual examination of this figurine, identified as Goebel Hummel #82 'School Girls.' This classic two-figure model exhibits the soft matte finishes and earthy palette characteristic of authentic Hummel craftsmanship. Based on the color saturation and modeling, this piece likely bears a trademark from the TMK-5 (Last Bee) or TMK-6 (Missing Bee) era, placing production between 1972 and 1990. The condition appears to be excellent; the lack of visible crazing on the cream-colored base is a positive indicator of stable storage conditions. The hand-painted details on the Schultüte and the intricate weaving on the wicker basket remain sharp. However, the market for Goebel Hummels has significantly softened over the last decade due to a surplus of inventory from estate liquidations. 'School Girls' was a widely produced open-edition piece, which limits its rarity. While larger or very early versions (TMK-1) can command higher prices, this mid-century size is common. Authenticity is tentatively confirmed by the stylistic execution, but a definitive valuation is limited by the lack of direct base-mark inspection. To provide a certified authentication, I would require a physical inspection to verify the stamped 'Goebel' trademark, the incised mold number, and to check for professional restorations under UV light. Provenance or original retail documentation would further support the item's history but would not significantly alter the current market value dictated by supply and demand.