Hummel figurines

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Life-size reproduction of a Hummel figurine at the entrance of the Goebel company in Rödental, Germany

Hummel is a line of ceramic figurine, based on the artistic style of German nun Maria Innocentia Hummel. Alongside Spain's Lladro, it is a world renowned series of products.

[edit] History

The Hummel figurines that Goebel is most famous for producing are uniformly "cute." The first figurines were sold in 1935, and have since become a kitsch icon. The figurines are all based on the drawings and paintings of children by sister Hummel. Though much of the art was done in the 1930s, the newer figurines have adopted a more contemporary appearance.

In addition to the figures of children (which are what most people think of as "Hummels"), there are also Hummel saints which bear no resemblance stylistically to the playful children figurines.

Sister Hummel's works were discovered by Franz Goebel after a small publisher began printing her artwork as postcards. Goebel started production of the figurines under the authorization of the Convent of Siessen. Although she died in 1946 from tuberculosis, Goebel carries her legacy.

The word Hummel has also evolved into a generic term for figures of this type, much like Kleenex is to tissues.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Crafting

At the Goebel company, Hummel figurines are made out of porcelain. The body is bisque fired, dipped in glaze, and painted using oil and turpentine based colors which contain metallic oxides as pigments.

[edit] Resource

W. Goebel Porzellanfabrik GmbH & Co. KG. Goebel. "About M.I. Hummel" (retrieved Jan. 12, 2007)
W. Goebel Porzellanfabrik GmbH & Co. KG. M.I. Hummel. "Craftsmanship". (retrieved Jan. 12, 2007)