Vintage 50's GOEBEL Hummel Bird Duet 169 EUC

This adorable Hummel was lovingly displayed by my mother in an enclosed china closet, and is still in excellent, pristine condition. No apparent wear, scratches or chips. Size: 4.25" H x 3" W x 2.25" D The sketch artistry of Maria Innocentia Hummel (see photo) began to appear in the 1930s in Germany and Switzerland, mostly pastoral drawings of children. The German art publisher Ars Sacra was involved in the early popularization of the art on postcards and Hummel's "art cards" became popular throughout Germany, catching the eye of Franz Goebel, porcelain maker and head of W. Goebel Porzellanfabrik. Goebel acquired the rights to turn Hummel's drawings into figurines, producing the first line in 1935 and the figurines were introduced at the Leipzig Trade Fair, a major European show for the industry. Goebel was known for presenting new and novel products that attracted American distributors and by the end of the year, 46 M.I. Hummel motifs were on the market in America, sold at Marshall Field & Co. of Chicago and other retailers.