Whenever you get into a store selling exotic figurines and other collectibles you will wonder which one to choose. The best choice should be backed by solid knowledge about its quality and real value. Here you are given an opportunity to learn a few salient features of Hummel figurines, one of the best of the collections.

This figurine is a valuable part of any collection. These figurines are created using strict standards of craftsmanship and can be considered beautiful works of art as well. They are best-suited to serious collectors, as most of the pieces are fairly expensive. Each piece contains a mark of authenticity, making it easier to determine its age and value.

A Hummel figurine has a very long and interesting history behind it. The collection began in 1935, when a partnership formed between Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel, an artist, and Franz Goebel, a porcelain company owner. Goebel was interested in creating a new line of figurines modeled on Hummel's wonderful postcard prints. They formed an agreement that allowed Goebel to create figurines from Sister Hummel's ideas, and the collection soon became world famous.

Today, more than six decades after their inception, the figurines still retain their original artistic designs and distinguishing features. Before each new piece is created, the artists consult an Artistic Board at the Convent of Siessen, which receives royalties from the line. The company, originally starting with slate goods and marbles, has become famous worldwide mainly because of the beautiful figurines.

Most of the figurines feature children, much like the original artwork itself. A couple of the more well-known pieces are Heavenly Angel and Puppy Love, the first figurines ever produced. The Merry Wanderer is considered the most popular figurine in the collection and is available in a few variations, including The Merry Wandress. In fact, this piece is so admired that a six-foot version stands outside the factory.

For the collectors there is The Club which began as the Goebel Collectors' Club in 1977. When it started it was the first of its kind. Chapters of the Club exist worldwide and consist of approximately 150,000 members, and it continues to grow. If you are a collector, you will get several services from the club.

New members receive an introductory figurine, and opportunities to buy exclusive figurines, and discounts on future purchases. Every year, a convention takes place that covers all aspects of the collection and celebrates the artistry and craftsmanship of each piece. That will give you an opportunity to learn about each great figurine and its importance.

The figurines are sought after in art shows and antique shops around the world. The pieces can be purchased online as well as in auctions and from dealers. It can take weeks to create a single figurine, as it often involves over 700 hand operations, making many pieces expensive. Each figurine features the signature of Sister Hummel and/or a Goebel backstamp to confirm its authenticity.

Now that you have got some vital information about the fascinating collections, you can confidently get into a shop and ask for a specific figurine, to decorate your drawing room, or to be given to someone you love. The gift is ideal as a memento. It is suitable for any important occasion as well.