Hummel

Hummel is a German surname and is widely associated with a line of porcelain figurines produced by the Goebel company. The best-known use of the name refers to Hummel figurines, which are based on drawings by Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel and were manufactured in West Germany beginning in 1935.

The figurines originated when Goebel acquired licensing rights to Sister Hummel’s artwork, a collection that depicted children and everyday scenes in a gentle, wholesome style. After her death in 1946, the company expanded production and released the first widely distributed pieces in the early 1950s. Typical subjects show children at play, school, or family moments, rendered with soft colors and lively but innocent expressions. Each piece carries marks indicating the Goebel factory, a model number, and, on many items, the Hummel attribution.

Hummel figurines achieved widespread popularity in the United States and other markets during the 1950s and 1960s, becoming a recognizable line in mid-20th-century collectibles. Production has continued in various forms since then, including limited editions and renewed releases. Collectibility is influenced by factors such as rarity, condition, age, edition status, and whether a piece is a first issue or a later reproduction. As with many porcelain lines, the market includes genuine items, licensed reissues, and counterfeits, so provenance and condition are important to collectors.

In addition to the figurines, Hummel remains a German surname and place name origin. The best-known cultural association, however, remains the world of Goebel’s Hummel figurines.