Definition:Josef Originals

Josef Originals dog figurines were created by designer Muriel Joseph George, whose California-based company launched in 1945. While internationally known for their ‘Birthday Girl’ figurines, the Josef Originals Dog Series is prized among breed-specific collectors for its charming 1950s California aesthetic — high-gloss ceramic finishes, small flower appliqués, and delicate gold-leaf accents. Josef dogs have an unmistakable stylized quality: large expressive eyes, simplified but affectionate breed features, and the bright palette of post-war American decorative arts. Like most California-era imports, Josef Originals were produced in Japan and exported. Authentication relies on the original red-and-gold foil sticker (‘Josef Originals’) — many pieces have lost their stickers, making attributed pieces with intact labels more valuable.