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.
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.
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.
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.
Hummel Children’s Nativity Set
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 JesusBerta Hummel Nativity AngelBerta Hummel Nativity AngelHummel Nativity DonkeyBerta Hummel Nativity Shepherd
Excellent Large 6-1/2″ Early Hummel Goebel ‘Christ Child’ Figurine (HUM 18) | TMK-2 | Western GermanyVery Good 6″ Hummel Goebel ‘Lullaby’ (HUM 24 /111) Figurine Candle Holder | TMK-5 | W. Germany
Hummel Nativity Set 1951
In 1951, Master Sculptor Reinhold Unger created the Hummel Nativity Set 214 which became an immediate hit. 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.
VTG Rare Hummel Goebel 10 pc Nativity Figurine Set 214 Series 1951 W Germany
Rare Excellent 9″ Scale Goebel Reinhold Unger Holy Family—Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus (HX323A, HX323B, HX323C) Nativity Set | TMK-6 | W GermanyVintage Hummel Goebel 2 pc Nativity Figurine West Germany Flight into Egypt EXCGoebel Hummel Holy Family Nativity Jesus Mary Joseph Figurines Christianity960s GOEBEL NATIVITY FIGURINES Hummel HX257 Tmk3 CHOOsE Shepherd Lamb Grapes Donkey Ox Cow Porcelain Replacement Creche Christmas Love GiftCamels from Hummel nativity setGoebel Hummel Nativity Wise Man With Lambs 214/F W Germany
