Announcements
Goebel of North America supports Goebel Germany restructuring effortunselectable Pennington, N.J., June 18, 2008 Goebel Germany has recently announced that it will discontinue production of M.I. Hummel figurines and focus its resources on the company's home accessory brands."Goebel of North America (GNA) is committed in its support of Goebel Germany as they embark on the recently announced production restructuring. Despite current global economic pressures, GNA's business has remained stable and we are confident in the outlook for the second half of 2008. GNA will collaborate with Goebel Germany to implement a strategic plan that will best serve the North American market and all its stakeholders. We remain confident that the M.I. Hummel brand will emerge from this restructuring significantly stronger" said Goebel of North America President Philip Ferrigno.Goebel is best known as the creator of M.I. Hummel figurines, renowned collectible works of art depicting Bavarian country children
CASTING & ASSEMBLING
Liquid ceramic, known as "slip," composed of kaolin, feldspar, clay, quartz and water, is poured into the plaster working molds. The plaster absorbs moisture from the slip. As the slip thickens, it creates a hollow ceramic shell of the figurine. The excess slip is poured out, and the moist shell is removed for assembly into a completed figurine.
The pieces are joined using slip as a sort of glue, then smoothed to remove all seams. The assembled figurines dry for about one week.
KILN FIRING
Each figurine is fired at intense temperatures at least three times during the production process. The kilns are heated and cooled gradually -- sudden temperature changes can damage the figurine.
The first firing at 2100°F transforms the moist figurine into its white bisque state. The figurines shrink in size and emerge with a powdery white finish. Then the piece is hand-dipped and sprayed with a tinted liquid glaze.
The second firing is at 1870°F. The figurine emerges glossy white, as the glaze has been melted into a thin, transparent skin of glass.
After painting, the figurine will be fired again at 1407°F to permanently bond the color and create a soft matte finish. Figurines may undergo decor firings up to three times, depending on the colors used.
BRUSHING ON COLOR
The paints used on each M.I.Hummel collectible are selected from several hundred hues specially developed to recreate the tones of Sister Hummel's artwork. The Master Painter prepares a decorated sample, which must be approved by the Convent of Siessen, to guide the highly-trained artists who paint the actual figurines.
Since the figurines are painted by hand, each is unique. Paints are metallic oxide powders mixed as needed with balsam oil and turpentine. Brushes are made of natural hair.
QUALITY CONTROL
The figurine creation process takes many weeks and may involve over 700 hand operations with many quality checkpoints. Every new M.I.Hummel figurine is created using this painstaking process, in accordance with the age-old Goebel tradition of quality handcraftsmanship.
New Trademark from Globel and MI Hummel
Limited Edition
Example of a limied edition!
Limited Edition with numbered edition!