"The history of Hummel figurines begins with Bavarian nun Berta Hummel in the early 20th century. Hummel assumed the name of Sister Maria Innocentia in 1931 when she joined a Franciscan convent in southern Germany. Having just completed art school, Hummel dabbled in painting during her early days, depicting the jolly likenesses of rosy-cheeked children in her works. Her fellow sisters encouraged her and even suggested that she sell her work. It was through such sales that Hummels eventually arrived on the desk of Franz Goebel, the director of a German pottery company. Inspired by Hummel’s endearing designs, Goebel negotiated a collaboration with the Bavarian nun to transform her paintings into ceramic pieces."