Bing & Grøndahl Christmas plate 1897 The sparrows' Christmas meal

The sparrows' Christmas meal from 1897 is one of the very early Bing & Grøndahl Christmas plates and bears the quiet, wintry poetry that made the series so beloved from the beginning. The motif shows small sparrows gathered around winter's sparse food, while a bird above them is captured in motion with outstretched wings. This gives the plate life and lightness, while at the same time the scene tells of the cold season and the care for nature's small creatures.

In this edition, Frederik August Hallin has created a motif that connects beautifully to Danish winter and Christmas traditions. The sparrows' Christmas meal points to the old custom of putting out grain or feed for the birds at Christmas time, when frost and snow made it difficult to find nourishment. On the plate, the birds are seen in a simple and atmospheric landscape, surrounded by fine, decorative branches, which emphasize the calm winter mood and the distinctive blue-and-white Bing & Grøndahl aesthetic.

When the series began in 1895, it was the world's first Christmas plate series, and since 1895 a new plate has been released every year. The 1897 edition therefore belongs among the very first releases and has a special historical interest for collectors of Danish porcelain and Christmas plates. Precisely the early editions are often valued for their close connection to the beginning of the series and for the cultural history they convey.

Each edition was produced in a limited number, and after the year's final firing, the mold was destroyed. This means that The sparrows' Christmas meal from 1897 constitutes a completed production, which could not later be started again. For those who appreciate older porcelain with history and soul, it is a fine way to preserve a piece of Danish design heritage and let classic craftsmanship live on in a modern home.

As wall decoration, this Christmas plate fits beautifully into both a traditional and a simpler interior, where it adds winter atmosphere, history, and personality. It is also ideal as a gift for the collector or for someone who appreciates old quality objects, created to last through generations.

Product information:
Manufacturer: Bing & Grøndahl
Artist: Frederik August Hallin
Series: Christmas plates
Edition: 1897
Dimensions: Ø 18 cm
Hanging: Two holes on the back for hanging