Bing & Grøndahl Christmas Plate 1960 Østerlars Church

Bing & Grøndahl Christmas plate 1960 with the motif Østerlars Church combines Danish Christmas tradition, history and classical porcelain art in one unified expression. On the front, the characteristic round church is seen in a quiet winter landscape, where the snow-covered road leads the eye toward the church and creates a calm, almost solemn atmosphere. At the bottom appears the visible text CHRISTMAS EVE 1960, which clearly anchors this edition in the series' long story.

This year's motif, Østerlars Church, is based on one of Bornholm's most well-known and distinctive churches. On the plate, the round church's striking, massive form is seen together with the nearby building, all rendered in Bing & Grøndahl's classic blue shades. The small stars in the evening sky and the snow on roofs, walls and road give the motif a quiet Christmas peace, where architecture and winter atmosphere merge beautifully into a higher unity.

The design is by Kjeld Bonfils, who with a sure hand has created a composition that both highlights Østerlars Church's historical weight and the more poetic side of Christmas. The motif contains a fine balance between the monumental and the intimate: the church stands as a landmark, while the snow-covered driveway and the dark trees in the background make the scene vivid and present.

This Christmas plate is part of Bing & Grøndahl's famous series, which began in 1895 and thus became the world's first Christmas plate series. Since 1895, a new plate has been issued every year, and each edition was produced in a closed production run. After the year's final firing, the mold was destroyed, so that the edition in question could not later be put into production again. This is an important part of the explanation for the enduring interest in the individual years among collectors.

As this edition is from 1960, it is not only made for the wall. It can also be used all year round as a smaller plate, for example for cake or dessert, and at Christmas time it adds a special atmosphere to the table with its classic blue Christmas motif. At the same time, older quality design like this is a beautiful choice for those who appreciate good craftsmanship, history and the joy of letting fine utility objects live on in a modern home.

Product information:
Brand: Bing & Grøndahl
Designer: Kjeld Bonfils
Title: Østerlars Church
Year: 1960
Technique: Underglaze
Dimensions: Ø 18 cm
Hanging: Two holes on the back for hanging