Hummel figurines can be charming or terrifying, but it’s hard to deny their longevity. Kitschy and collectible, Hummel figurines sprang into existence in 1935 — as a partnership between the religious artist Maria Innocentia Hummel and the German porcelain maker Goebel.
Maria continued to make set after set of adorable porcelain figures until her death in 1946. Goebel continued to produce Hummel figurines after her death based on sketches of hers that they discovered.
Hummel figurines transport viewers into a different, simpler time. Focused on childhood innocence and whimsy, they are the quintessential “grandma collectible.” Because of that, their value is quite erratic. You can find decades-old Hummel figurines worth less than $5. Others can be worth thousands.
Another element of the Hummel figurine is that the same character was often reproduced year after year. So, be aware that a 1935 Little Fiddler may not be the same as a 1985 Little Fiddler, even if they look similar in many respects.
These are the most valuable Hummel figurines.
