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Identifying Vintage Ceramic Figurines

April 11, 2021

A figurine with a hairy head.I have this guy from my childhood. I have never seen another one, nor anything similar. He has an Enesco sticker on the bottom and the number 'E-5238'. I included a picture of the bottom, but I don't know if it is a legible size.

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I am asking for information about him if anyone knows. Is he part of a family of figurines? How would I find others like him? Is he from a collection or artisan that someone would collect?

A figurine with a hairy head.
 
A figurine with a hairy head.
 
A sticker on the bottom of a figurine.
 

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Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 196 Feedbacks
April 12, 20211 found this helpful
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He is one of the Pupics Figurines by Enesco. I want to say they where 1950s figures. Supposed to be aliens. There was a red, blue, and brown one. One was moishe...don't remember the others.

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Haven't seen one in years! No examples of solds in my first pass. I can try another source tomorrow.

 
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75 More Questions

Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.

November 28, 2020

Hi I found these cute figurines. They have a marking on them. Who made them? I would like to know more about them!

Thank you.

A figurine of three children playing music.
 
A marking on the bottom of a figurine.
 

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Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 105 Posts
November 28, 20201 found this helpful
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I have done a search on the marking on this piece and here is what I can tell you for sure. All the known marking for porcelain and figurine doesn't have a mark like this at all. However, this mark looks like it was a combination of two different marks that are used in Germany and Great Britain to mark their pieces. In these markings used in both of these countries, the mark is not laid on the side like in yours. it is standing up and down.

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There is an added dark bar at the back of the x that is not present in the other marking that is similar to this one. The marking on the bottom of your piece is not listed in any of the databases I can find. I feel like this company who ever made this figurine has created their own mark to add to the bottom and it is not one they have trademarked or is listed in the databases for marks used on these pieces.

 

Silver Answer Medal for All Time! 320 Answers
November 28, 20200 found this helpful
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I believe these to be made in Japan in the "WWII era" as knock-offs of Hummel (as noted by Judy) or W&A Bertram (Appel). A similar to your banjo boy is listed on ebay today for $12 USD www.ebay.com/.../192884928657. The clue to finding more via images on the internet is in the hair; it's very broadly molded compared with some other copycats.

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As for the mark, to my eye it resembles a compass (which, maybe not coincidentally, is the basic shape of the Dresden mark). These are really sweet pieces and it's nice to remember seeing small collections of figurines of all types, materials, and styles as a child.

 

Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 196 Feedbacks
November 29, 20200 found this helpful
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I am still searching but I have ruled out:

Hummel
W&A Bertram
Dresden
Meissen
Ardalt

I have a feeling the mark is an "homage" mark--so close that it tries to get people to think it is a brand, but it is not. I can try a few more of my sources just to make sure I am not missing something.

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Hummels were born in the 1930s so these are post Hummel. These type of pieces had a hey day in the 1950s and 1960s--so best guess would be these are from that era when people were trying to get people to think they had the originals.

That said, there are still pieces like this sold today in our dollar stores, so it could have been made last month! To be honest, it is really hard to pinpoint facts with these type of pieces unless you were the original owner.

If I learn anything more, I will post back! Thanks for sharing! I always love a good figurine mystery!

 

Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 196 Feedbacks
November 30, 20200 found this helpful
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HOMECO is a US brand, you may have heard of Home Interior Company. They are related. They were a multi level, home party program that started in the 1950s. They made "homage" pieces to Hummels, but had a very clear mark and usually a paper sticker. The mark was two very clear arrows and either a circle or an oval--you can find some of their common markings here:

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sercadia.wordpress.com/.../

 
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July 5, 2021

This was included in my collection of Wade (Red Rose tea) figurines. I collected them as a child in the 70s in Canada. After some research I don't see this one included in any of the series they put out.

If it is not Wade, can you please identify it? Thanks so much.

A small figurine of a koala.
 
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September 21, 2020

I am looking for more information on this little guy, who is 4"H and marked Germany on the back. It's hollow and there is a pinhole sized hole above his pocket.

I thought this was a pie bird, but the bottom isn't arched. Smokers usually had an open mouth.Identifying a Figurine? - vintage figurine of a boy in white, cap, shirt, and shorts
 

Any ideas?

Identifying a Figurine?
 
Identifying a Figurine?
 
Identifying a Figurine?
 

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Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 196 Feedbacks
September 21, 20200 found this helpful
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While I am not 100% positive, I don't think he is a Rose O'Neill Kewpie doll. Those are typically marked with her name--although I suppose the label could me be missing, but most were NOT on a stand like this, and I have never seen one with any holes in their chest as you describe.

Until it can be confirmed, this is a Kewpie STYLE--unfortunately, Kewpie has become like Kleenex--which is a brand name that people but where people use it to describe similar, not branded items...like people call all tissues Kleenex or all bandages Band-Aid.

I know I am being a bit picky here...but in the resell world, you can get into a whole heap of unhappy buyers if you call something something that it is not.

I am still digging in my files to see if I can find out more.

Can you tell me if he is bisque (which is a rough material) or porcelain (which is smooth).

Also, you say he is hollow--can you show the underside--bottom of the stand? Is that open--what you are referring to as hollow?

It is possible if the bottom is open that he is some kind of pie baker to release the steam...usually those are birds, but I have seen other things that function in the same manner--seeing the bottom may help me figure it out.

Maybe with a little more info, I can find more details!

Thanks for posting!

 

Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
September 21, 20200 found this helpful
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My goodness - Pghgirl you do bring back memories!
I always knew the item you're talking about as a 'pie bird' and at one time all the homebody ladies had at least one.
I'm not sure this is one of those as most larger ones usually had 'vents' on the bottom sides but this could have those vents also (no picture of sides or bottom).
I keep thinking the little hole held some type of stick/flag/handkerchief or ?? But that is just my thinking.

If you will join the Reddit site and post these pictures, I feel sure you will have an answer if a few days. This site shows amazing results on all kinds of things that are difficult to find information on.
It takes a little getting used to but the administrators are very helpful and can guide you to the correct group to post to.

www.reddit.com/.../

Please let us know if you find out what this little fellow really is (besides being cute).

Now - just in case someone wishes to know what Pghgirl is calling a 'pie baker/etc' here are some notes and links to check out.

"Pie birds (also known as pie funnels, pie chimneys, and pie whistles) are hollow ceramic devices used to keep pies from bubbling over in the oven by providing ventilation from the hot filling through the crust."

www.thekitchn.com/pie-birds-aka-pie-funnels-111070

www.collectorsweekly.com/.../pie-birds

 
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May 5, 2021

I am curious if anyone knows who this artist is? It resembles a Florence but has a personal name "Margie 1949" in gold inside.

A figurine in an old fashioned dress.
 
The underside of a figurine with the marking "Margie 1949"
 

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March 24, 2022

Found these adorable angels at a very upscale estate sale with lots of French and English vintage and antique items. They average about 4-5 inches tall. All have variations of the same mark.

I've searched eBay and used Google Lens -- nothing similar. I would so love to know more about them. Thank you!

Figurines of young girls.
 
Figurines of young girls.
 
A marking on the underside of a figurine.
 
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April 2, 2021

I have this figurine but don't know nothing about what is it made of. Is it ivory? Other animal bone? Is it Chinese or Japanese and if so, what would you call the figure? A warrior, king, etc. Certainly as I have absolutely no idea of what it is made of, what do you think its value is? Hope someone can help me. Thanks!An Asian figurine on a pedestal.

 

A close up of the face of a figurine.
 
A close up of a figurine.
 
The back of a figurine.
 
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February 26, 2021

Can anyone tell me anything about provenance date and value of this figurine? It has foreign stamped on the bottom so Im guessing its not English and it used to belong to my grandmother.

Other than than I dont know anything about it.

An old fashioned figurine of man or boy.
 
An old fashioned figurine of man or boy.
 
The back of an old fashioned figurine of man or boy.
 
A closeup of the figurine's feet.
 
Side view of the figurine.
 
A marking on the bottom of a figurine.
 

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Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
February 26, 20210 found this helpful
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There were so many of this type of figurine available in the '5 & 10 cent stores' and so many are now posted for sale online that most likely this one will be very low value and may be difficult to sell.
The 'Foreign' mark is on a lot of this type figurine and the more you research the origin the more confusing it gets.
This is the conclusion that most historians come to:
"So the mere presence of a 'FOREIGN' mark says absolutely nothing about the age or the intended target market of an item, in fact these items require intensive research as to place them correctly."
Some say it was used between 1893 and 1923 but others say it was used off and on for many years after that - so no help there.

I found one statue that resembles yours but has 'Occupied Japan' but yours could have been from the East also.
www.etsy.com/.../redcoat-man-playing-flute-porcelain

This one on eBay appears to be your figurine and the price looks reasonable (not very much profit with free shipping) but hopefully it will sell and that is sometimes what matters.
www.ebay.com/.../122800656950

 
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November 26, 2020

Can anyone identify this ceramic figure? It is 17 cm tall and 12 cm wide across the base. There are no markings on it. Also does anyone have an idea of the value? Thanks.

A figurine of a boy beside an orange tree.
 

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Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
November 26, 20200 found this helpful
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You state there are no markings or numbers on the bottom but just seeing how the bottom 'looks' helps to identify age and how it was made.
To me, this looks just like the inexpensive pieces sold in the "5 & 10" and Woolworth's, Kress, McCrory's, Ben Franklin, W.T. Grant, Murphy's, in the 70's as this was when many of the expensive brand names were so popular but families like mine could not afford a Hummel but still wanted some pretty items to sit on our shelves. There were no names on these figurines as they were made in the thousands and sold to many different stores.

Maybe my memory is not that good but that's what this resembles to me.
Hopefully, PGHgirl will find something else.

 
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November 25, 2019

What or who is the maker with the initials H.A on the bottom of this figurine or an old man?

Identifying a Figurine - old man wearing a sweater and hat and smoking a pipe
 
Identifying a Figurine
 

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Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 105 Posts
November 26, 20190 found this helpful
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My grandmother took a lot of ceramic classes at the senior center near her. They had all kinds of molds she could choose from to paint and fire. They had small figurines like this one. I think this is from a senior center that holds craft classes for seniors.

 

Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 196 Feedbacks
November 26, 20190 found this helpful
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The paint looks too good (to me) to be a class project.

There is a brand called "Norleans" that had paper stickers on their bottom and many of their pieces were "signed" by the staff member who painted them.

You may have one of their pieces. I see these at the flea market and yard sales priced from 1-3 dollars if that is what you have.

He looks like a leprechaun. Very cute! If you are going to sell him, I would try in February for St. Paddy's day!

Thanks for sharing!

 

Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
November 27, 20190 found this helpful
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I believe he was made from a mold and the painter/artist was very good.
I remember seeing many molds with this same style bottom as the mold was made to set on rack with 2 prongs that fit inside the 2 holes and you could paint around the bottom instead of just painting to the bottom edge.
This also resembles a typical mold as the features are not all distinct such as the walking stick is just part of the trouser leg.

Years ago we had numerous ceramic shops in my area and I have seen some excellent work but I have not seen this particular mold for sale.
The H.A. is very typical of how the painters marked their finished molds.

Although he resembles a leprechaun he may just be an Irish gentleman??

As to value; probably not more than $10-15 at best and may take a long time to sell. Unfortunately, hand made items are not very popular items but close to St. Patrick's Day would be a good time to list for sale.

This listing is of a Scottish gent but it is typical of this type mold and the painting is good (pictures are blurred but last one shows well).

www.ebay.com/.../283686867768

 
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August 20, 2020

I'm not sure where I even got this. Anyone know anything about it?

Identifying a Vintage Ceramic Figurine?
 
Identifying a Vintage Ceramic Figurine?
 

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May 11, 2020

Can anyone help me identify this cat? It has odd markings that remind me of an owl, weird I know. There is nothing identifiable as to who made it. It's about 4" high.Identifying a Cat Figurine - black cat figurine with tick markings

 

Identifying a Cat Figurine
 
Identifying a Cat Figurine
 

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Gold Answer Medal for All Time! 617 Answers
May 12, 20200 found this helpful
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so is this actually pottery? That's what it looks like

there is a type of Chilean pottery known as 'Pomaire' which is black earthenware with white marks. It is famous.

I didnt' see any cats but as you can see it does look a lot like this www.pinterest.es/.../

 
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October 17, 2020

What is this ceramic figurine? Family collectible. Only marking on underside is the number. If there was an identifying mark it was obliterated. Thank you in advance!

A ceramic figurine of a young girl with a basket.
 
A "733" on the base of a ceramic figurine.
 

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March 11, 2020

I have these little farmer and shopping girl figurines. She has a basket and blue dress with a black vest, and a little white dog by her feet. She is wearing brown shoes, yellow socks, with a black band on top of her socks. The sign says, to town. The little boy has a yellow hat, grey shirt, what looks likeIdentifying Vintage Figurines - girl with basket figurine

 

a white apron, blue pants, brown shoes, and is holding a pitchfork. He is standing looking at birds in a nest in a tree with some orange flowers on and near the tree. Their age is over 30 years. Since I have had them that long. I would like to know their value and age.

Thank you.

Identifying Vintage Figurines
 
Identifying Vintage Figurines
 
Identifying Vintage Figurines
 

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Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 196 Feedbacks
March 11, 20200 found this helpful
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These are Erich Stauffer Figurines! They were created as...my understanding...as an homage to Hummels. Sadly both these and Hummels have very little resale value at the moment.

Erich Stauffer Figurines average $3-$10 in sold prices.

Fun find! Enjoy!

 

Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
March 11, 20200 found this helpful
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Sadly there are so many figurines available (even the Dollar Tree has similar figurines from time to time) that even most Hummel's have very little value.

These are Erich Stauffer figurines but more specific; they are made by Arnart. This company did not have the best reputation and apparently produced several 'fake' versions of name brand figurines.
Apparently, many people believe the name 'Erich Stauffer" is fake and no one by this name ever existed.
Here are excerpts from a history website:

"Arnart is known by its crown and crossed arrow symbols on the bottom, some of which are printed with numbers in a series in porcelain or on a sticker. Erich Stauffer designed fake Hummels, which used a crown symbol.
Some people place Erich Stauffer figurines back to 1940 because of the United States ban on imports from Germany during World War II.
However, Arnart Creation was not founded until 1953, eight years after the end of World War II on August 15, 1945."

Here is a link to that web site in case someone wishes to read their history. Article is from 2013 but it appears the value listed still holds true in today's market.

www.erichstauffer.com/.../erich-stauffer-figurines

You can check out the sold listings on eBay to see what people are currently paying for this type figurine.

www.ebay.com/.../i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=Erich+Stauffer...

From all of this it would appear your figurines were made after 1953 and the value is probably approximately $5-35.

 
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