Preliminary identification
Photo reference
1 uploaded photo
Overview
A charming mid-century ceramic angel figurine celebrating a girl's 13th birthday, featuring a yellow gown, gold wings, and holding a rotary telephone to mark the official 'teen' milestone. Part of Muriel Joseph George's hugely popular series designed to capture annual childhood rites of passage.
Story
In post-war America, turning thirteen meant becoming a teenager with a phone glued to your ear. Artist Muriel Joseph George captured this exact 1950s cultural shift by placing a miniature rotary telephone in her 13-year-old birthday angel's hand.
Maker / Origin
Muriel Joseph George began creating figurines in her California home in 1945 after making pottery as a WWII hobby. Her husband, George, handled sales, and together they built 'Josef Originals' (spelled with an 'f' due to a printing typo on their original labels) into a household name.
Condition & Value
The figurine appears to be in very good vintage condition with bright enamel glaze, intact gold trims, and no obvious chips or cracks visible. Original glaze luster and complete delicate features like the telephone handset help preserve full market value.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.