Bing & Grøndahl Christmas Plate 1938 The Lights Are Lit

The Lights Are Lit from 1938 is one of the more unusual Bing & Grøndahl Christmas plates, and precisely for that reason it immediately attracts attention. Where many annual editions tell their Christmas story through landscapes, buildings or winter life, this plate gathers the atmosphere into a strong and simple symbol: the map of Denmark bathed in the classic blue-and-white porcelain expression and flanked by lit candles. This gives the motif a special calm and thoughtfulness, which suits the quiet moments of Christmastime beautifully.

The title The Lights Are Lit works closely together with the motif. The visible candles stand as a clear image of the December darkness, broken by warmth, hope and tradition. On the plate, Denmark is depicted as a dark silhouette, while the candles rise around the map and create a simple, almost graphic composition. This makes the 1938 edition markedly different from many other Christmas plates in the series and gives it a special position among collectors who appreciate motifs with clear symbolism and historical character.

This Bing & Grøndahl Christmas plate was made after a design by Immanuel Tjerne. The series began as early as 1895 and was thus the world's first Christmas plate series. Since 1895, a new plate has been issued every year, and each annual edition constitutes its own completed release. After the year's final firing, the mould was destroyed, so that the year in question could not later be put into production again. This is an important part of the explanation for why the individual years continue to be of great interest among collectors of Danish porcelain.

As an older Christmas plate, this edition also contains the joy of preserving classic Danish craftsmanship and allowing historical quality objects to gain new life in the home. It is beautiful as wall decoration at Christmastime, but can also be used all year round as a small plate for cake or dessert. The characteristic blue shades make it easy to combine with other plates in the series or with a classic table setting, where porcelain with history adds personality and soul to the home.

On the back there are two holes for hanging, so the plate is easy to hang up as part of a collection or as a single atmospheric feature in the decor.

Product information:
Manufacturer: Bing & Grøndahl
Designer: Immanuel Tjerne
Series: Christmas Plates
Year: 1938
Title: The Lights Are Lit
Material: Porcelain
Dimensions: Ø 18 cm
Hanging: Two holes on the back for hanging