Preliminary identification
Photo reference
2 uploaded photos
Overview
This is a beautifully modeled, hand-painted porcelain figurine of a ring-necked pheasant in mid-stride, captured with remarkable lifelike movement. Produced by the world-renowned Goebel factory, it features the distinctive matte finish and rich, earthy palette that defined their mid-to-late 20th-century wildlife series.
Story
Created in 1970 in West Germany, this pheasant was born during a golden era of European wildlife porcelain. Goebel designers spent weeks studying live birds to capture this exact, tense moment of a pheasant preparing to flush.
Maker / Origin
Founded in 1871 by Franz Detleff and William Goebel, the Goebel porcelain factory became legendary for its high-quality earthenware and porcelain, most famously producing M.I. Hummel figurines. Beyond Hummels, Goebel employed master sculptors who specialized in incredibly detailed, anatomically correct birds and forest animals that became highly collectible in their own right.
Condition & Value
The figurine appears to be in excellent vintage condition with no visible chips, cracks, or repairs to the notoriously fragile tail or legs. The original paper label is still intact on the base, which is a wonderful bonus. Excellent condition like this commands the top end of the market range.
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.