She's turning eight and ready to celebrate — yellow dress, summer hat, gold gilding on her waist, sleeves, collar, and wings, and those signature black eyes that Josef Originals collectors know to look for. Sweet, still, and completely charming, the kind of piece that earns a permanent spot on a shelf.
Josef Originals was the creation of Muriel Joseph George, who began designing figurines during the final years of World War II. (A label printer's misspelling turned "Joseph" into "Josef" — and it stuck.) Her earliest pieces were produced in California between 1945 and 1962, before manufacturing moved to Japan. The Birthday Angels became one of her most beloved series, and the black-eyed versions are the ones collectors seek out — they represent the earlier production run. This piece carries the Josef Originals signature with a circled "C" on the unglazed bottom, the original black foil "Japan" sticker, and the original hang tag with the black and gold Josef Originals foil label. Muriel retired in 1981; she passed away in 1992.
A wonderful gift for a collector, a birthday girl turning eight, or anyone who appreciates a figurine with real history behind it.
Maker: Josef Originals, Made in Japan
Era: 1960s (black eyes, early production)
Material: Porcelain
Dimensions: 4.0" tall × 3.5" long × 2.75" wide
Condition: Excellent vintage. No chips, no scratches, no damage. Original foil sticker and hang tag intact.
