Goebel Hummel Collector Plate - Little Companions Series

This is a circular porcelain collector plate featuring a three-dimensional effect illustration based on the artwork of Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel. The central scene depicts a young boy and girl sitting on gnarled apple tree branches, characteristic of the 'Apple Tree Boy' and 'Apple Tree Girl' figurines. The children are dressed in traditional Bavarian-style attire with vibrant blue jackets and jumpers. The plate features a fine gold-gilded rim and a background depicting a scenic European countryside with a half-timbered house and a distant horizon under a pale blue sky. The craftsmanship shows high-quality decal application with saturated colors and fine stippling to mimic the original ceramic texture. The signature 'M.I. Hummel' is visible on the left side of the artwork. This piece likely dates from the late 20th century (1980s-1990s), a period of high production for Goebel decorative plates. The condition appears excellent with no visible chips, cracks, or fading to the pigments. The gold gilding on the edge remains intact without significant rub-off, suggesting it has been kept for display rather than utility. It likely belongs to a specific limited edition 'Little Companions' or similar commemorative series produced by the Goebel porcelain factory in Germany.