Goebel | Berta Hummel — Fishing for Trouble | Porcelain Figure | BH 118 | Thailand, 1999

A boy with a fishing rod and a picnic basket has planned this day himself, which is exactly why something will go wrong.

The Berta Hummel series, produced by Goebel from the 1990s onward, draws directly from the original illustrations of Berta Hummel (1909–1946), whose depictions of children captured childhood as a self-contained world of quiet intention and small, private ambitions. Distinct from the earlier M.I. Hummel range produced in Germany from 1935, the Berta Hummel line was manufactured in Thailand under Goebel’s direction and carries the BH model prefix. The figures retain the softness and narrative charm of Hummel’s artwork while presenting a later, more accessible collecting category.

Fishing for Trouble, model BH 118, issued in 1999, presents a young boy mid-stride toward the water. A long fishing rod rests over his right shoulder, the line trailing behind, while a wicker picnic basket sits at his side — a composition built around forward motion and quiet optimism.

The figure is modelled on an oval naturalistic base finished in soft sage green with incised grass detailing. The boy turns slightly as he walks, his posture relaxed but purposeful. He wears a terracotta-pink check shirt with a blue neckerchief, brown shorts with crossed braces, loose grey-white socks and dark shoes. The wicker basket, partially draped with a blue cloth, anchors the composition at ground level. The modelling is rounded and confident throughout, with an open, animated expression characteristic of the Berta Hummel line.

The reverse of the base carries the moulded “Berta Hummel” signature, and the underside is printed in green with the full factory details including title, model number, Goebel mark, year of production and country of manufacture.

There are no chips or cracks. The piece is in excellent condition with no condition issues present.

• Maker: Goebel
• Series: Berta Hummel Figurines
• Title: Fishing for Trouble
• Model Number: BH 118
• Material: Porcelain
• Finish: Matte
• Period: 1999
• Country of Manufacture: Thailand
• Marks: Printed — “Fishing for Trouble / BH 118 / Goebel / 1999 / Thailand”; moulded — “Berta Hummel”

Collector Appeal

Berta Hummel figures occupy a distinct and more accessible tier within the wider Hummel collecting market, appealing both to established collectors expanding beyond the earlier German-made M.I. Hummel series and to buyers drawn to the narrative quality of the subjects. Complete, well-preserved examples with clear base markings and no condition issues remain consistently saleable, particularly when the subject matter — such as fishing, rural activity, or childhood independence — resonates visually. This example, with its strong modelling, intact finish, and clear storytelling composition, sits comfortably within that demand.

He has packed a lunch, found a rod and set off early — everything is in order for a day that will not go according to plan.