Description
From an estate with other antique Hummels in superb condition is this whimsical "Sweet Music" Hummel figurine # 186. He features a Full Large Bee Mark above the "V" which dates him to 1950-1955. He is in extraordinary condition & apparently kept in a case his whole life. He is 5.5 inches. Free Expedited Shipping & Protective Packaging are included. A LITTLE HISTORY: "The Goebel company was originally well-known for their porcelain works of art. in 1935 the original owner's grandson, Franz Goebel made an agreement with artist Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel whereby the company was able to produce 3 dimensional porcelain representations of her drawings. Hummels put the Goebel company on the map." Berta Hummel was born in Bavaria in the early 1900s. She enrolled in the Academy of Applied Arts in Munich, German. Children were the main subjects of her popular drawings which were published on postcards. The grandson of Franz Goebel, of the Goeble Company, noticed Berta Hummels talent & appeal. Goebel's company is the ONLY company granted the right to produce figurines based on M.I. Hummel's drawings. in 1935 the first Hummel figurines were introduced. They were very popular with the German public. During World War II, production of the figurines was restricted, but not forgotten. in fact some rare examples are stamped "US Zone Germany" Following the war, the German citizenry recovered & "Hummels" were sold in shops again. U.S. soldiers in Germany also bought the figurines to send back home. ABOUT THE MANUFACTURING: The creation of an M.I. Hummel figurine is a laborious labor of love & art. A selected image is first sculpted in clay by an experienced artist. This process alone can take many weeks to perfect. Once the sculpture proof is approved, a master mold maker is consulted. Each figurine is reproduced in exacting molds, sometimes requiring a series of molded & assembled pieces. Each piece is assembled & smoothed so no seams are visible. Then, they are allowed to dry completely before the first two firings in a kiln. A third firing ensures color bonding & a smooth surface. Paint colors used for the next process were created especially to match the color palette that Berta Hummel herself used in her drawings. The master painter prepares a sample figurine which must meet strict approval. Finally, each figurine is artistically & lovingly painted by hand."Hummels became increasingly popular after World War II & many today are worth thousands upon thousands of dollars. Each Hummel tells a different story." The name Hummel in German means bumblebee & the V stands for "Verkaufsgesellschat" or Distribution Company. The very large bee flying in the V remained until around 1956, when the bee was reduced in size & lowered into the V. It can be found incised, stamped in black or stamped in blue, in that order. Antique Hummel Tmk-2 "Sweet Music", 1950, Figurine #186, Full Bee
