HUMMEL FIGURE, Worship 84/0.

"Hummel figurines (also known as MI Hummel figurines or simply Hummels) are a series of porcelain figurines based on drawings by Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel.
Sketches and art of Sister Maria Innocentia began to appear during the 1930s in Germany and Switzerland, mostly pastoral drawings of children. The Swiss art publisher Ars Sacra was involved in the early population of the art on the postcards. Hummel's "art cards" became popular throughout Germany and these caught the interest of Franz Goebel, head of the W. Goebel Porzellanfabrik. Goebel acquired the rights to use Hummel's drawing in the production of figures, first production came in 1935. Goebel was one of many medium-sized porcelain factories competing in the European and American markets. Franz Goebel's marketing skills caused the figurines to become popular in the US and Europe during the 1930s. Greatest popularity was among German immigrants on the East Coast of the United States.
After World War II, the popularity of Hummel figurines grew when American soldiers stationed in West Germany began sending figurines home as gifts. The nostalgia associated with the figurines and the American soldiers who bought them led to Hummel figurines becoming a popular collector's item. The popularity increased even more when the figures were sold by the US Army on location in Germany. A speculative market in Hummel figurines developed during the 1970s. Hummel figurines are produced by Manufaktur Rödental in Germany and are today the fastest growing investment of collectibles in 38 countries.

13 cm high and with the original box".