I know there are a bunch of Hummel lovers in our Fam’, so I set out to discover for you the history of these charming figures. What I found in my research was a rich history whose unique charm can only be matched by the charming Hummels themselves. I hope you enjoy walking through this story with me!

In the world of collectibles, Hummels are extremely well known and cherished. You can immediately recognize a Hummel due to the scenes of joyful Germanic childhood and the unique earthenware used in their creation. The history of these cherished collectibles spans over 80 years and a World War.

Like many collectibles, the story of Hummels began with an artist. 

Berta Hummel was born in Bavaria in 1909 and had creative talent from the start. At the age of 18, she traveled to Munich to enroll in the Academy of Applied Arts. There she developed a friendship with Franciscan nuns, which led her to join the Convent of Siessen in Wurttemberg in 1931. In 1933, she was clothed and received the name Sister Maria Innocentia. The next year, she took her religious vows. While in the convent, she continued to use her artistic talent and love for the arts. She taught the children in the convent school to draw and combined her love of drawing with her love of children by drawing scenes of kids playing. It was an exhibition of this artwork that caught the eye of porcelain worker Franz Goebel. 

Goebel approached Hummel about her artwork, convincing her that her scenes could come to life as figurines. Goebel was the fourth-generation owner of an already renowned porcelain company in West Germany. Always on the lookout for artists who could add beautiful collections to the company’s repertoire, Goebel approached the convent about using Sister Maria Innocentia’s designs. 

After negotiations, it was agreed that artistic control would rest with Sister Maria and the convent. It was also agreed that the designs must be handmade and remain true to the original artwork. To meet these stipulations, earthenware was used instead of the more traditional porcelain. This better matched the cozy and down-to-earth artistic designs of Sister M.I. Hummel and created figurines that were unlike any that had come before. The world quickly fell in love!

Like many producers of collectibles and finer products, production was shut down during World War II due to scarcity of materials. Despite this shut down, the popularity of Hummels in America only grew throughout the war. American soldiers stationed in Germany discovered Hummel figurines and sent them home to their families as souvenirs. This practice truly launched America’s love for Hummel’s and kept the figurines popular through the war. 

Sadly, Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel died from tuberculosis in 1946 and was barely able to enjoy the popularity of her work. Despite her passing, Hummel figurines continue to be manufactured based on her designs. Because Sister Maria was such a prolific artist, we’re still able to receive that perfect blend of nostalgia and artistry from Hummels that they’ve delivered since 1935. The creation process is incredibly detailed to ensure only the highest quality figurines are created. The same methods of production have been used since the first Hummel was created back in 1935. Nowadays, you can join the M.I. Hummel Club to share your passion with other collectors across the globe. Founded in 1977 in North America, the Hummel Club was designed to unite and educate Hummel lovers. 

Whether you love the original designs and the nostalgia of the original Hummels, or love to see nostalgia live on through new figures continuing to be developed, there truly is a Hummel for everyone. All inspired by German country life, Hummels are a piece of history and it’s easy to see why they have remained popular for all these years.