Bing & Grøndahl Christmas Plate 1931 The Arrival of the Christmas Train

Bing & Grøndahl Christmas plate 1931 with the title The Arrival of the Christmas Train captures a moment that still awakens recognition: the anticipation just before the reunion. In Achton Friis' atmospheric motif, the steam locomotive rolls into the station through the winter darkness, while people stand ready on the platform to receive it. It is a scene full of movement, light, and emotions, where the joy of Christmas can almost be felt in the cold air.

On the plate, the train is seen with headlight and steam, cutting its way through the blue-toned winter scene. In front stands a small group of people waiting, including an adult holding a child by the hand, while other waving figures farther back emphasize that this is not merely a train, but the arrival of someone longed for. The Arrival of the Christmas Train is therefore more than a title; it is the very story of the journey home for Christmas, of family, hope, and the special atmosphere that arises in the moment before doors open and loved ones meet again.

The 1931 edition belongs to the classic series from Bing & Grøndahl, which began in 1895 and thus became the world's first Christmas plate series. Since 1895, a new plate has been released every year, and each edition carries its own story. This particular release stands out with its modern motif for the time: the railway as a lifeline and the Christmas journey as a central part of the holiday. This makes the plate interesting both as a collector's item and as a small cultural-historical picture of Danish Christmas in the first half of the 20th century.

Each edition was produced in a limited number, and after the year's final firing, the mold was destroyed. Therefore, the 1931 edition stands as a completed release that could not later be put into production again. This is part of the explanation for the enduring interest in the original Christmas plates from Bing & Grøndahl.

As Christmas plates from 1905 onward measure 18 cm and are suitable for use, this edition can also have a place at the table. Use it, for example, as a dessert plate at Christmas time, or let it hang on display as part of the winter décor. Older porcelain with a history adds personality to the home and is at the same time a beautiful way to preserve fine craftsmanship in use through generations.

Product information:
Manufacturer: Bing & Grøndahl
Artist: Achton Friis
Series: Christmas Plates
Edition: 1931
Title: The Arrival of the Christmas Train
Material: Porcelain
Dimensions: Ø 18 cm
Hanging: Two holes on the back for hanging