Goebel Figurines

I’m sure, you have heard of the beautiful Goebel figurines and their the Hummel line. Since around 1935 these amazing Goebel figurines have been crafted of porcelain and became the best selling porcelain pieces of the entire line of Goebel figurines. Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel, a Franciscan nun, has drawn the art work the Goebel figurines are created from.

All of the Hummel line of Goebel figurines are marked on the bottom of each piece. Al the Hummel figurines are signed by Sister Hummel until she passed away unfortunately in 1937. Besides, there are some other Goebel marks on each Hummel figure you need to look for; the word Goebel, a picture of a bee trademark, a double crown, and a mold number. From 1991 until Goebel closed its doors they used the mark of a bee over the word Goebel with the word Germany underneath.

In 2008 the Goebel factory has shut its doors. Troubles began years before with the owner filing bankruptcy in 2006. The bad economic had an effect on this company that had been in business since 1871. Although best known for their Hummel figurines many different artists produced drawings that Goebel figurines where designed after. Various types of porcelain figurines by artists like Charlot BYJ have had success and have value in today’s market, but their Hummel line of Goebel figurines were always their best selling and most beloved figurines that make great Christmas gifts as well.

When Goebel closed the doors, 230 employees who worked in the Hummel manufactory lost their jobs. Not only the employees but collectors of the Hummel line were astonished and saddened. Collectors were emotional and believed there was no way that Goebel could stop producing the line of Hummel figurine. Goebel had tried everything they could think of to go on making the line of Goebel figurine, even increasing output of the Hummels to make more profit. Nevertheless, this didn’t work and supply quickly overbalanced demand.

In 2009 they were bought up by Hoechst Porcelain placed near Frankfurt, Germany and founded the new company Manufaktur Roedental. The new company got the copyrights to the Hummel collectibles and will continue to be produced, more or less still based on the artwork of Sister Hummel. They could hire back many of the former crafters, a few now in their 70s, to going on with this wonderful tradition of producing these fine collectible porcelain interior design. Because everything is still crafted by hand, one figurine can take up to three month to make.

This year is the 100th day of remembrance of Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel’s birth. The new company is hoping this will arouse interest in the figurines. A lot of new porcelain figurines are being produced for the occasion and hopefully the tradition of the Goebel figurines will be conducted.

If you’re lucky you can still find some of these antique Goebel figurines original signed by Sister Hummel at auctions and yard sales. These original Goebel figurines will include the signature of Sister Hummel and a Goebel trademark. Some Goebel figurines also come with a mold number.

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