Hummel

The sketch art of Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel began to appear in the 1930's in Germany and Switzerland, mostly drawings of children. The German porcelain manufacturer, Goebel acquired rights to turn Hummel's drawing into figurines, producing the first line in 1935. After the end of World War II, the popularity of Hummel figurines grew as American soldiers stationed in West Germany began sending the figurines home as gifts. Nostalgia associated with the figurines and the U.S. soldiers buying them led to Hummel figurines becoming a popular collector's item