NEW YORK — Think of porcelain and the names that come to mind include Meissen, IPM, Limoges and Wedgwood, but Boehm (pronounced ‘Beam’) deserves a place in that roster, too. The American porcelain maker may not have centuries of history under its belt, but in its 70 years in New Jersey, the company has earned a reputation for fine craftsmanship and a high degree of realism.

Founded as E.M. Boehm Studios by Edward Marshall Boehm (1913–1969) in 1950, the company is best known for its porcelain sculptures and figures of birds, flora and wildlife celebrated for their lifelike appearance and deft coloration done by hand. Among the most beloved and well collected of all its works are its birds, which represent a whole range of avian species from massive birds of prey to delicate little hummingbirds.

In his lifetime, the Boehm was known for sculptures of birds that were very naturalistic in their rendering and posing. In a widely-published quote, Boehm stated that the permanence of porcelain was well suited to his sculpture. “It is a medium in which one can portray the everlasting beauty of form and color of wildlife and nature,” he said.

Vintage Boehm birds have long been of interest to collectors, and the more intricately detailed the bird, the more desirable it is. If Audubon was the most renowned artist to draw birds, then Boehm was the rightful king of bird sculptures. He was so committed to his art that he studied birds in their natural habitats in the wild and also kept exotic birds at his home in aviaries. In both instances, he took detailed notes on their behaviors and movements.

Eagles rank among Boehm’s most popular birds, partly due to their status as the national symbol of the United States and partly due to their large size. Boehm has produced several iterations of the American Bald Eagle, all dramatically posed with outstretched wings and perched on a tree branch as if about to take off. A 33¼in tall example that powerfully captures the majesty of the species sold for $4,600 plus the buyer’s premium in November 2018 at J. Garrett Auctioneers.

Boehm was used to making large figures, and several of his sculptures are in public collections. In 1972, President Richard Nixon presented China’s leader Mao Tse-tung with a Boehm sculpture of a pair of mute swans. The sculpture, known as The Bird of Peace, is housed in China’s national museum. Nixon commissioned the work in 1969 and it reportedly took Boem and 14 artists two years to make the piece, which weighs 250 pounds and stands 42in tall mounted on a three-foot base.

Several countries have chosen the golden eagle to represent them, including Germany, Scotland and Egypt. A monumental, fierce-looking signed Golden Eagle sculpture brought $4,500 plus the buyer’s premium in December 2019 at Great Gatsby’s Auction Gallery, Inc.

Small Boehm birds average five inches tall, making it easy for apartment-dwellers and others with limited display space to amass a large collection. The larger birds are favored by many Boehm collectors, however. A Boehm Brown Pelican measuring 25 by 18 by 19in realized $2,700 plus the buyer’s premium in January 2017 at William Bunch Auctions & Appraisals.

While older pieces, especially those made during Boehm’s lifetime, command top dollar, even contemporary-era pieces can bring good money. A 1991 signed limited edition sculpture of a red-tailed hawk about to land on a fallen branch went out at $2,750 plus the buyer’s premium in December 2018 at DuMouchelles.

Another favorite bird is the heron, which in nature is often spotted around seashores and wetlands. A 1984 example of a wide-winged Great Blue Heron is evocative of Boehm birds that collectors chase. Standing 32in tall, the sculpture realized $2,750 plus the buyer’s premium in November 2018 at J. Garrett Auctioneers.

There is no wrong way to collect Boehm birds. Some collect by color, others by size and still others by species. You could seek out birds that exist in your hometown or in a certain ecosystem, such as shore birds or birds of the meadow. Regardless, Boehm birds are equally detailed and a sight to marvel at. Their realism is so great it’s easy to convince yourself that by staring at them long enough, you could will them to life.