Christmas Eve Plate Appraisal

Bing & Grøndahl 1963 Christmas Plate "Juleaften" (Christmas Eve)

This item is a collectible Bing & Grøndahl Christmas plate from 1963, titled "Juleaften" (Christmas Eve). It is crafted from ceramic, likely porcelain, and features a classic underglaze blue and white color scheme. The plate exhibits a shallow, circular form with a slightly raised outer rim, typical of decorative collector plates. The central motif depicts a charming scene of a nisse (or gnome-like figure) offering a bowl of 'julegrød' (Christmas porridge) to a black cat. The nisse is kneeling, wearing traditional Danish attire including a large pointed hat, and has a large sack on its back, suggesting a connection to gift-giving or a traveler. The cat is shown seated, looking intently at the nisse and the porridge. The background illustrates a rustic interior setting with a window overlooking a snowy landscape where another figure is visible, though less distinct, possibly ice skating. The scene is framed by stylized brickwork on one side and roof timbers above. The details are rendered in relief, giving the design a three-dimensional quality, and the varying shades of blue create depth and contrast. The phrase "JULE AFTEN 1963" is prominently embossed or molded into the bottom rim of the plate in a distinct serif typeface. The overall condition appears to be excellent, with no visible chips, cracks, or significant wear. The glaze is intact and glossy. The quality of the craftsmanship is high, indicative of Bing & Grøndahl's reputation for fine porcelain. The piece represents a traditional Danish Christmas motif, embodying folklore and holiday spirit. Given the 'MADE IN DENMARK' context, it is an authentic Danish collectible plate.