Bing & Grøndahl Christmas Plate 1916 The Sparrows' Devotion

The Sparrows' Devotion from 1916 is one of the Bing & Grøndahl Christmas plates in which motif and atmosphere beautifully come together in a higher unity. In front of the characteristic church building, two small sparrows sit close together in the winter landscape, as if seeking peace and shelter in the cold. This gives the year's motif a quiet, almost contemplative character, where nature, faith, and the peace of Christmas meet in the classic blue-and-white porcelain.

On the plate, Højerup Church by Stevns Klint is seen, and the distinctive stepped gable stands out clearly in the background. The two birds in the foreground make the motif lively and present, while the snow and the bare branches emphasize the stillness of winter. It is precisely the interplay between the small sparrows and the old church that nicely explains the title The Sparrows' Devotion. The motif contains both simplicity and symbolism, where the birds can be experienced as an image of winter's vulnerability and the peace associated with Christmastime.

This edition was designed by J. Block Jørgensen and clearly bears the mark of the narrative tradition that has made Bing & Grøndahl's Christmas plates sought after among collectors. The series began in 1895 and was thus the world's first Christmas plate series. Since 1895, a new plate has been issued every year, and the 1916 edition therefore belongs among the early releases in the historic series.

Højerup Church is in itself a motif with cultural-historical weight. The church is known for its location by Stevns Klint, where the sea's erosion later came to threaten the building. This gives this Christmas plate an extra dimension, because the motif not only shows a winter church, but also preserves a Danish place with a special history. For collectors, it is precisely the kind of editions that make old Christmas plates interesting: they unite art, storytelling, and Danish cultural heritage in one piece of porcelain.

Each edition was produced in a limited number, and after the year's final firing, the mold was destroyed. Therefore, The Sparrows' Devotion today stands as a completed release from 1916. At the same time, it is a beautiful example of how older porcelain can still create value in the home. As a vintage Christmas plate, it adds personality, history, and sustainable charm, whether it is hung up in December or used as a small plate for cake or dessert the rest of the year.

Product information:
Manufacturer: Bing & Grøndahl
Designer: J. Block Jørgensen
Series: Christmas plates
Edition: 1916
Title: The Sparrows' Devotion
Material: Porcelain
Dimensions: Ø 18 cm
Hanging: Two holes on the back for hanging