Cruet set in the form of three Friar Tuck Monks on a Tray, Hummel, West Germany, 1960s

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Auction Start: 21/07/25 19:00:00 UTC
Auction Ending: 05/08/25 19:22:00 UTC
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LOT NUMBER 12
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LOT NUMBER 12

Cruet set in the form of three Friar Tuck Monks on a Tray, Hummel, West Germany, 1960s

The portly figures of ‘Friar Tuck’ Monks seen here are perhaps rather appropriate for a set intended for the serving of condiments : salt, pepper and mustard. The three similar figures are amusingly modelled with benign expressions, the smaller ones pierced at the top for salt and pepper with plastic stoppers underneath and the larger in two parts, here complete with the original spoon. This set comes from the ‘Hummel’ range produced by the German ceramic manufacturers Goebel. Founded in 1871, the company began to enjoy enormous popularity in the 1930s when Franz Goebel, grandson of the founder, began an association with a Benedictine nun Berta Hummel who later took the name sister Maria Innocentia Hummel. Hummel had produced a range of postcard drawings of figures which Franz Goebel realised he could turn into porcelain figurines. Production started in 1935 and was immediately successful. Sister Hummel died in 1947 but the association with her covent continued and figures in her distinctive style were produced for many years thereafter. Dating is established by the format of the mark, which went through many variations. Here we see a ‘V’ with a bee within at the top and the wording W.Germany. The German word ‘hummel’ means ‘bee’ and the ‘V’ stands for ‘Verkaufsgesellschat’ or ‘Distribution Company’. This bee has sharp angular wings set parallel to the tips of the ‘V’ which was the format used between 1960 and 1972. In addition all ‘Hummel’ pieces were marked with the model number which can be seen clearly here on the base of the mustard pot, ‘S 183’. For some, the Hummel figurine might be an acquired taste but few can fail to admire the whimsy here and this set would add spice, so to speak, any dinner table conversation.
Size: Pieces in stand measure W 14 cm D 14 cm and tall compote is 11 cm high
Weight: 345gm for set
Date: 1960s
Condition: Good condition, no issues
Estimate: £40 – 60

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