In 1912, Arthur W. and Ruth B. Hummel ventured to northern China to serve as a missionary couple for the American Board of Missions (Congregational). They spent over fourteen years learning the Chinese culture and administering the affairs of several missions in China’s interior. At that time, I am sure my grandparents did not realize how the years they would spend in China would affect their lives and the lives of generations to come in my family.
After their return to the U.S. in 1927, my Grandfather Hummel spent most of his career as the first chief of the Orientalia Division of the Library of Congress. He was known as a leading Chinese scholar and was famed for his insights regarding Chinese culture. He also spent his time teaching seminars and short courses in the Asian studies programs at several universities in the U.S. including Yale, Harvard, and Berkley. In those days, someone who worked in and had a fondness for China was known as a “China Hand.”
His son, my Uncle Arthur William Hummel, Jr., also spent much of his working career within Asia. He spoke fluent Chinese, having obtained his language skills during the formative years as a child in rural China. When, at the end of his career (1981 to 1985) he became the U.S. Ambassador to China. He was without doubt one of the more qualified and popular representative from the U.S to serve in China. His personal story of his years in China during World War II reads like a novel. First, he was a college student. Next, he became an unwilling intern in a Japanese Camp, and, finally, he escaped and fought with the Chinese Nationalists as an intelligence officer. Both my grandfather and uncle were known to be “China Hands,” due to their knowledge and expertise of China.
While growing up, my home was always full of numerous stories, items, and collections from Asia. I can vividly remember hearing marvelous accounts about my family’s experiences in that wonderful land. My younger sister (who has blonde hair and blue eyes) would tell people that she was half Chinese. Even though my family is not Chinese by blood, I have always felt Chinese in regard to my rich family heritage in China.
It is from the stories of these original China experts, or China Hands, that the name Asia-Hand originates. The name is also a credit to the many hardworking artisans and designers whom I work with in Asia. These are the people who work with their hands to bring the finest of Asia to you. We search throughout Asia to find the best that there is as we believe in the motto for Asia-Hand “From our hands to yours!”
Asia-Hand is a Division of Mondoro Company Limited (www.mondoro.com), a leading design, development, and manufacturing company in the home furnishing industry. Asia-Hand is an extension of Mondoro by taking our own designs and collections and putting them together in one place. This makes it extra convenient for the customer to order. Mondoro does not give worldwide exclusivity on these designs, but will give exclusivity for an area if a dealer orders enough products for that specific territory.
The Asia-Hand brand consists of five major collections: the Fenchow Collection (Asian and ethnic in nature), the Stockholm Collection (modern and vibrant in color and trends), the Greencastle Collection (classic American style with dark earthy tones), the Linnea Collection (feminine and elegant with soft tones and colors), and the Milwaukee Collection (high volume quality products at value pricing). We invite you to discover these collections as we bring you the best production and designs that Asia has to offer— “From our hands to yours!”
Anita Hummel
President
Arthur and Ruth Hummel with 7 Chinese colleagues Fenchow, China 1920's
Chinese Aiyi (Nanny) holding Arthur Hummel Jr.China 1920's
Carol Hummel Ames Fenchow, China 1920's
Arthur and Betty Lou Hummel holding pet tigers US Embassy Buma (Myanmar) 1960's
