Puppy love Hummel figurine is family treasure
Q. Enclosed is a photo of a porcelain Hummel figurine that was my mother's. She was born in Germany, and when she went back to visit her family her sister gave her the figurine. It stands about 5 inches tall and is marked on the bottom with the words "Goebel - W. Germany." On the backside of the base are the words "Puppy Love" along with the German words "Geigerlein mit Hund." The German words mean "Fiddler with Dog."
I would never part with my figurine. It is a family treasure and I would like to know its value since I plan to include it in my insurance.
A. The "Goebel - W. Germany" mark was first used in 1979 and is the Hummel trademark number seven. The "Puppy Love" figurine was one of the first 10 models Goebel chose to exhibit at the 1935 Leipzig Fair in Germany. Until the late 1950s, it was listed as "Little Fiddler with Dog." The figure of the young boy was also used without the dog and listed as "Little Fiddler without Dog." It was available in several sizes and the figure wore either a brown or black hat. Your figurine was molded by Goebel artist Arthur Moelle in 1935. It was only made in the 5-inches-tall size and the mold was retired in 1988.
Your figurine is circa 1979 and it should be insured for $150 to $375.
Q. I have enclosed the mark that is on the bottom of a pottery vase that I have. I bought it at an antiques shop years ago because the glaze appealed to me. I have no idea what I paid for it so many years ago. It has been sitting and forgotten in the back of a china cabinet for years. My daughter saw it and asked about it. I think she would like to have it. It is decorated with a metallic iridescent glaze that is a blend of green, purple and blue in a swirling pattern.
Anything you can tell me about its history will be appreciated.
A. Your vase was made by Weller Pottery in Zanesville, Ohio. It is an example of their Sicardo line that was the creation of Weller's French ceramist, Jacques Sicard, around 1902. According to Weller history, there was a mantle of mystery that veiled the glaze process. Sicard and his assistant worked behind closed doors and only spoke in a French-Swiss dialect. They conducted a daily morning visual sweep of the laboratory walls to assure there were no peepholes for anyone to peek into. Some believe they went to such extreme measures because they were concerned that, if Sam Weller learned their secret process, they would end up dismissed, as was one of their predecessors.
Your vase was made around 1902 and would probably be worth $550 to $600.
• Address your questions to Anne McCollam, P.O. Box 247, Notre Dame, IN 46556. Items of a general interest will be answered in this column. Due to the volume of inquiries, she cannot answer individual letters.
© 2016, Creators Syndicate