Hummel Figures Nativity Set to Celebrate the Holidays

Every year on Christmas Eve my mother would carefully unpack the figures for our Nativity Scene. Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and sheep, the Wise Men, the camels, and of course, the infant Jesus. The set, along with the stable, was arranged in a place of honor on the sideboard. As a child, I knew I shouldn’t play with them, but I always wanted to. These collectible Hummel Figures Nativity Sets take me back to those days.

The artist responsible for these adorable creations was Berta Hummel. She was born in Bavaria in the early 1900s. She enrolled in the Academy of Applied Arts in Munich, Germany, where she developed her talent further. Children were largely the subjects of her drawings. Religion was also important to Berta Hummel. She entered a convent where she continued to pursue her artwork and later changed her name to Maria Innocentia. Her drawings were published on postcards, and after seeing them, Franz Goebel set up an agreement with her to produce porcelain figurines from her images. Goebel’s company only was granted the right to produce the figurines based on M.I. Hummel’s drawings.

Goebel Hummel Nativity with Original Creche

M. I. Hummel figurines were first introduced to the German public in 1935. They were received well and became popular. During World War II, production of the figurines was restricted, but they were not forgotten. After the war, as the German citizenry recovered, the figurines were sold in shops again. U.S. soldiers in Germany also bought the figurines to send back home.

The actual creation of an M.I. Hummel figurine is a laborious process. When an image is selected for production, it is first sculpted in clay by an experienced artist. This process alone can take many weeks to complete to perfection. Once the figurine is approved, the sculptor and the master mold maker make decisions regarding the production. Figures are molded and fired three times! The paint colors used for this process were especially created to match the color palette that Berta Hummel herself used. Only after the the master painter prepares a sample figurine that meets approval, can the production begin. Each one is lovingly painted by hand. This is a long process, but well worth the wait.

Goebel Hummel Silent Night Candleholder #54 Christmas W Germany Nativity

Hummel Figures Nativity Set

The success of M.I. Hummel figurines is built on a long-standing tradition of attention to detail, quality production, and faithfulness to the vision of the artist.

Vintage 1965 Goebel Hummel Nativity Set w Manger/Porcelain Nativity

Hummel Figures Nativity Set 2230

The Hummel 2230 figures are more childlike and are based on drawings by Berta Hummel (Maria Innocentia Hummel). The sweet faces remind us of the joy in the season.

Berta Hummel Nativity Set, Matte Porcelain Figures of Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus

Hummel Nativity Figures

Are you missing an Angel? Or maybe you are building the set one or two figures at a time. You can find the missing pieces here.

Berta Hummel Nativity Set: Shepherd Standing, Sitting, Donkey – Goebel 1996 Complete Hummel Goebel Hosanna Angel w/Trumpet #480 4” NEW ORIGINAL BOX Studio Hummel Three Wise Men Nativity Set with Box & Certificates NIB Hummel A Christmas Song 343 Hummel Serenade Angel Nativity Psalmist Lamb & Lute #83 Goebel Vintage Goebel Hummel Christ Child Baby Jesus in Manger Figurine 6” Nativity Western Germany

Berta Hummel Nativity Shepherd Berta Hummel Nativity Camel by Goebel Vintage Hummel 42/0 “Good Shepherd” Nativity Child with Lambs 6-1/2″ tall Full Bee TMK2 1950-1957 MH-5967 Goebel Nativity Series Standing Lamb 32010

Hummel Nativity Set

The colors are similar to MI Hummels set, but the figures are adults. You can find full sets, or individual pieces to complete your set. The figures are much larger.

RARE Hummel 260 Jumbo Nativity Set 16 Pieces With Original Crèche Manger