Bing & Grøndahl Christmas plate 1907 The little girl with the matches

Bing & Grøndahl Christmas plate 1907 with the title The little girl with the matches draws its motif from one of H.C. Andersen's most moving fairy tales. On the plate, the little girl is seen alone in the winter cold, sitting on a doorstep by a wall, while the snow-covered street and the dark, bare trees reinforce the feeling of silence, loneliness, and reflection. It is a motif that captures something special in the Christmas story: the contrast between cold and hope, darkness and light.

In this edition, E. Plockross has translated the mood of the fairy tale into the classic blue-and-white porcelain expression for which Bing & Grøndahl is so well known. The composition is simple, yet powerful. The girl's slightly bowed head, the basket by her side, and the empty winter street around her tell the story with great sensitivity. The discreet background with house facade, fence, and bare branches gives the motif depth and makes the scene both poetic and immediately recognizable.

That The little girl with the matches was chosen as the motif in 1907 gives this Christmas plate a particular cultural weight. H.C. Andersen's fairy tale from 1846 is a fixed part of Danish storytelling tradition, and this plate unites Christmas story, craftsmanship, and Danish cultural heritage in one combined expression. For collectors, it is also worth noting that Bing & Grøndahl's Christmas plate series began as early as 1895 as the world's first Christmas plate series, and that since 1895 a new plate has been issued every year.

Each edition was produced in a limited number, and after the final firing of the year, the mold was destroyed. Therefore, the 1907 edition stands as a complete release with its very own place in the history of the series. At the same time, it is a fine example of how older porcelain with history and soul can be given new life in a modern home, whether it is hung up as part of a collection or brought out at Christmastime.

As this Bing & Grøndahl Christmas plate is from 1907, it can also be used as a small dessert or cake plate all year round. In December, it also adds a special atmosphere to the table, where the fairy tale and the classic blue decoration become a beautiful part of Christmas traditions.

Product information:
Manufacturer: Bing & Grøndahl
Designer: E. Plockross
Title: The little girl with the matches
Edition: 1907
Technique: Underglaze
Material: Porcelain
Dimensions: Ø 18 cm
Hanging: Two holes on the back for hanging