| The history of M.I. Hummel figurines begins with | | | | vision the Goebel company was given permission |
| Berta Hummel. Berta was born in 1909 in rural | | | | to turn Sister Hummel's drawings into the M. I. |
| Bavaria and at an early age she displayed an | | | | Hummel figurines which would soon be famous |
| impressive artistic ability. She was encouraged to | | | | worldwide. They were introduced to the world in |
| develop her skills by her kindly Catholic | | | | 1935 and their success was immediate as they |
| schoolteachers throughout her adolescent school | | | | quickly caught the eyes of European buyers. Over |
| years. In 1927, she enrolled in the Academy of | | | | the next several years their popularity continued |
| Applied Arts in Munich, Germany. She was soon | | | | to grow in Germany and beyond as collectors the |
| befriended by two Franciscan Sisters from the | | | | world over became aware of their beauty and |
| Convent of Siessen which was a teaching order | | | | charm. |
| which emphasized the religious aspects of art. | | | | Tragically, Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel died an |
| After graduating in 1931, Berta entered the | | | | early death at the age of 37 in 1946. Thankfully |
| Convent of Siessen. She had decided to devote | | | | for Hummel collectors she left a collection of |
| her life and art to the service of God. Upon | | | | drawings that are still used to this very day by |
| entering the convent she took the name of Maria | | | | Goebel to produce new figurines. The Convent of |
| Innocentia Hummel as part of her conversion. | | | | Siessen works with the Goebel company to make |
| She continued to create beautiful works of art | | | | sure that each new creation is kept true to Sister |
| which eventually came to the attention of the | | | | Hummel's original vision. Hummel figurines continue |
| Goebel porcelain company. After receiving | | | | to be one of the world's favorite collectables and |
| assurances that they would remain true to her | | | | their popularity shows no signs of declining. |