Bing & Grøndahl Christmas Plate 1917 The Christmas Ship Arrives

The Christmas Ship Arrives is the title of Bing & Grøndahl's Christmas plate from 1917, and the motif is both dramatic and atmospheric. In the classic blue-and-white porcelain, a large ship is seen approaching the quay in the winter darkness, while steam and smoke rise around the hull. On the quay, people stand gathered in anticipation, and in the foreground a man works close to the edge, giving the whole scene a strong sense of movement, cold, and the excitement of arrival.

With this edition, Achton Friis has created a motif that stands out in the series by letting the Christmas spirit meet the busy reality of the harbor. The Christmas Ship Arrives does not tell of the quiet Christmas sitting room, but of reunions, anticipation, and the end of the journey. The large ship, the small figures on the quay, and the misty atmosphere give the plate an almost cinematic expression, where the light from the ship and the dark silhouettes create a particular depth.

As a Christmas plate from 1917, this release is also part of an important Danish design history. Bing & Grøndahl's Christmas plate series began in 1895 and was the world's first Christmas plate series. Since 1895, a new plate has been released every year, and it is precisely the early editions that have a special appeal for collectors. Each edition was produced in a limited number, and after the last firing of the year, the mold was destroyed so that production could not later be resumed.

This Christmas plate is therefore not only a decorative collector's item, but also a piece of cultural history with both age, story, and character. In a modern home, it can be hung up as part of a collection, included in a gallery wall with classic Danish porcelain, or brought out at Christmas time, when the motif adds a more maritime and narrative Christmas atmosphere to the home. Since the Christmas plates from 1905 onwards measure 18 cm, it can also be used as a smaller plate, for example for cake in December or as a fine little serving the rest of the year.

Choosing an older Christmas plate like this is at the same time a beautiful way to give Danish craftsmanship new life. Porcelain with history adds personality to the home and carries on the joy of things that are created to last through generations.

Product information:
Manufacturer: Bing & Grøndahl
Artist: Achton Friis
Series: Christmas Plates
Year: 1917
Title: The Christmas Ship Arrives
Dimensions: Ø 18 cm
Hanging: Two holes on the back for hanging