Hummel Collectibles
The history of Hummel collectibles is as charming as the figurines themselves. They are based Kamagra jelly on the work of a truly inspired artist, a Siessen nun named Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel. Sister Hummel was born Berta Hummel in Massing, Bavaria in 1909, and was an artistic and inquisitive child.
The Sisters at the local one room schoolhouse that Berta attended recognized that her insightful sketches showed extraordinary talent. When she turned twelve years old, a teacher urged her family to send Berta to a boarding school so that her artistic skills could flourish. Berta Hummel thrived in Cialis Jelly this setting. Upon her graduation at the age of 18, Berta was sent to Munich, Germany so that she could be immersed in a more professional artistic arrangement.
Munich was a mecca for artists in 1927, and Berta Hummel excelled at the famed Academy of Applied Arts. Even as she studied within the classic curriculum that included such subjects as still life, anatomy, and landscapes, Berta continued to sketch the whimsical scenes of joy and innocence inspired by her Bavarian childhood.
Berta Hummel did not join in the boisterous activities that most other students at the Academy sought out. Rather she became friends with two Franciscan Sisters who were studying to be teachers. After graduating with top honors in 1931, she was offered a position teaching at the Academy. She entered the Convent of Siessen instead, and a few years later, adopted the name of Maria Innocentia.
As always, Sister Hummel continued sketching children, and soon, her sketches emblazoned art cards and books. The profits from her artwork fostered the Convent’s teaching, and missionary, efforts. Before long, Munich, and Franz Goebel, became aware of her work. Goebel was the owner of W.
Goebel Porzellanfabrik, an illustrious porcelain company.
Goebel understood that Sister Hummel’s artwork of children depicted as figurines would endear itself to Germans during this most challenging of times. An agreement between Sister Hummel, the Convent, and Goebel was reached. In 1935, the first Hummel figurines were introduced at the Leipzig Spring Fair. Although they were an almost instant success in Germany, the onset of World War II placed serious restrictions on their production.
At the war’s end, however, Hummel collectibles began to garner a large following around the world as soldiers stationed in Germany sent the charming and whimsical figurines back home to the United States.
Although Sister Hummel died from tuberculosis in 1946, she left behind a vast collection of sketches. This has enabled Goebel to continue to produce Hummel figurines based on her drawings. The Hummel figurines are painstakingly hand painted following Sister Hummel’s detailed sketches.
Hummel collectibles are stamped with a mark that designates them as being authentic. Depending on the year of production, this mark can include a baby bee, the letter V, or the words W. Goebel. Each Hummel figurine, however, always includes the signature of M. I. Hummel if there is a base or stand on which to place it.
As with other collectibles, the condition of the Hummel figurines figures greatly in determining the value of the particular figurine. Those Hummel collectibles that are free of chips, cracks, or crazing will hold their value over time. Similarly, the figurines that are rare or that were released accidentally in spite of production errors, are highly valued by collectors.
Author Bio: Lawrence Bell, Editor of The Antiques Bible, offers an illustrated propecia indications glossary of antiques terminology with links to other helpful resources.
Category: Arts and Crafts
Keywords: Hummel, collectibles, antique, Convent of Siessen