The Goebel Company
opened its doors over a century ago in 1871 at the foot of the Coburg
Castle in Oeslau. Then known simply as F&W Goebel, after its co-founders
Franz Detleff and William Goebel, the first items produced were slates,
slate pencils and marbles. Soon, as a result of dynamic management and
progressive thinking, Goebel expanded its production first to include
porcelain coffee services, milk pitchers and eggcups and later porcelain
figurines. It was the addition of these figurines, which helped the
company to gain international recognition.
After the deaths of Franz and William, the company was to be led by the
creative minds of Max Louis and later Franz Goebel. It was Franz'
visionary thinking coupled with the charming designs of Sister Maria
Innocentia Hummel, that gave birth to the world famous collection of "M.I.
Hummel" figurines in 1935. Since then several artists, including Walt
Disney, Hans Welling, Hans Schaubach and Kathe Kruse have added their
talent and style to Goebel's distinctive line of collectibles.
Today,
the company's offerings include not only a vast array of fine,
handcrafted sculptures and figurines, but gifts, tabletop, and home
décor. With a heritage of success behind it, Goebel continues to
maintain its status as a distinguished name in the field of
collectibles, gifts and home décor.
The
Official
M.I.Hummel web site |
M.I. Hummel
products are the result of a successful partnership between W.Goebel
Porzellanfabrik and a talented German artist, Sister Maria Innocentia
Hummel. Her images of youthful innocence have been transformed by the
Master Artists of Goebel into original M.I. Hummel works of art.
Berta Hummel was born in Bavaria in 1909 with a wonderful gift -- an
instinct for observing her world and translating her observations into
drawings, especially of children. In 1927, Berta enrolled in Munich's
famed Academy of Applied Arts. There her talent matured and survived
rigid training with its spontaneity intact.
Religion had always been important to Berta. She befriended two
Franciscan Sisters from a teaching order that emphasized the arts. Berta
decided to enter the Convent of Siessen upon graduation in 1931, and
three years later, took the name Maria Innocentia.
The young Sister found herself in a setting that encouraged her talents.
Soon, small German publishers began printing some of her artwork in the
form of postcards. These charming cards came to the attention of Franz
Goebel, the head of a porcelain company bearing his name. He was in
search of a subject for a new line of figurines. And here it was!
Franz Goebel proposed to Sister Hummel the idea of transforming her
drawings into figurines. An agreement was reached with the Convent
granting Goebel the sole right to create three-dimensional works of art
based on Sister Hummel's drawings.
The artist worked personally with Goebel Master Sculptors and Painters
to create the new products. The first figurines were introduced in 1935
and were immediately successful.
Tragically, Sister Hummel died in 1946 at only 37 years of age. But her
artistic legacy was carried on by Goebel. Even today, Goebel artists
discuss each new M.I. Hummel work of art with an Artistic Board at the
Convent of Siessen. Standards of craftsmanship established more than six
decades ago have been strictly preserved. And M.I.Hummel figurines
continue to charm the world. |
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