The Item
Previously named 'Happy Harriet' in an earlier 1940s catalogue, 'Mother's Darling' encapsulates a little girls desire to help Mummy. With two large knotted handkerchiefs, one in each hand, she is prepared to help carry a load! The German name for this model is 'Markt-Christel' which means 'Market, Christine.' gives us further clarification on what this 'load' would be.
In production since pre-WWII, some changes to colour and design elements occurred.
The Manufacturer
Manufacturing began in Germany 1935, through a union between a Nun and the grandson of an established porcelain factory owner, today known as 'Goebel'.
*All genuine Hummels are incised with the 'M. J. Hummel' facsimile signature*
The History
The name M. I. Hummel is accredited to the designer of these delightful and highly collectable figurines. A Bavarian born artist, Berta Hummel studied at the Academy of Art in Munich. She later joined the Convent of Siessen, taking the name Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel, continuing her art through illustrations of adorable rosy cheeked children, which she allowed to be published onto postcards. It was these postcards that caught the attention of a young Franz Goebel, the grandson to the owner of the Goebel porcelain factory; who secured permission to adapt these pictures of innocence into three dimensional porcelain figures.
The second World War provided an unexpected boost to the popularity of these figurines. American soldiers stationed in West Germany found these sweet and affectionate pieces irresistible gifts to send home to family and loved ones. This popularity grew and established a strong trade for collecting in the USA, to this day!
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