ERAS
60 Years of Royal Copenhagen Christmas Tables
In their own right, 60 years of Royal Copenhagen Christmas Tables constitute an era of detailed, inspiring, and personal expressions of the precious holiday season and the traditions and meals that we continue to share year after year. Every year since 1963, Royal Copenhagen and the invited table decorators have generously celebrated the diversity of Christmas – through decades, through past and present. In Royal Copenhagen’s Christmas Tables, the artistic movements of time, values and culture have been illustrated in aesthetic imagination for decades and this year, the 60 years of Royal Copenhagen’s Christmas Tables are celebrated with yet another chapter of stories.
‘Eras’ being the theme of this year’s Christmas Tables frame the great story, creates connections across time and space and contributes to a deeper understanding of the world – both the collective and the personal. In the anniversary year 2023, six prominent, and very different, cultural figures, each of whom have left a significant mark on Danish culture with their artistic work through the past 60 years, have been invited to create a Christmas table. Each table showcases different approaches to the art of table setting, summarizes elements from some of the most significant times of the table setters’ lives and captivates the essence of Christmas to them. As always, the Christmas Tables will be framed by the historical setting of Royal Copenhagen's Flagship Store at Amagertorv 6 in central Copenhagen.
With a history of nearly 250 years, Royal Copenhagen is part of the cultural consciousness of many Danes - a constant that both draws a thread to the past and paves the way for new horizons. Royal Copenhagen's Christmas Tables are a reflection of precisely this connection between what defines us in cultural communities and the visions we have for the future. The Christmas tables are Royal Copenhagen's gesture to all - across generations and nationalities - who want to experience the traditions of Christmas and its special allure in a new light. At the same time, the Christmas tables are a tribute to creativity, craftsmanship, and art - elements deeply rooted in the porcelain factory's DNA and in the work of the invited cultural figures.
Creative Profiles.
A Cherished Event
The presentation of Royal Copenhagen’s Annual Christmas Tables is a recurring event that has attracted the attention from people of all ages since 1963. Through the years, the historic Royal Copenhagen Flagship Store in Copenhagen has welcomed a vast group of cultural figures, who have set their Christmas tables under varying themes. The beloved Christmas tables highlight the traditions of the holidays, but always with a bit of edge and a sense of humour. The exhibition also inspires guests to create their own holiday decorations and table settings. This year, the exhibition officially opens November 18th on the 2nd floor of the Royal Copenhagen Flagship Store at Amagertorv 6 in Copenhagen and is open until 31st December 2023. The exhibition can also be experienced digitally on www.royalcopenhagen.com.
The Story of Royal Copenhagen
Royal Copenhagen was founded in 1775 and is one of the oldest companies in Denmark. For more than two centuries, Royal Copenhagen has manufactured porcelain with the deepest respect for tradition and fine craftsmanship. Royal Copenhagen is renowned all over the world for its iconic, blue-painted porcelain and its heritage-driven approach to design.
Under the theme "Eras - 60 years with Royal Copenhagen Christmas Tables," five Christmas tables are presented by six creative figures, each of whom has left a significant impact on Danish culture - some over several decades, others well on their way in their innovative journey. Each interprets their personal Christmas as it has been experienced, perceived, and sensed in important and changing phases of their lives.
The Royal Copenhagen Christmas Table decorators of 2023 are:
Lin Utzon (b. 1946). Internationally recognized artist specializing in ceramics and textiles. Created sets and unique pieces for Royal Copenhagen from 1978-1990 and first decorated a Royal Copenhagen Christmas Table in 1986.
Alberte Winding (b. 1963). Singer, songwriter, author, actress and artist. One of Denmark's most popular songwriters and performers through more than 40 years.
Jesper Binzer (b. 1965). Rock musician, songwriter and lead singer of the popular Danish band D-A-D for the past 40 years. TV and cultural personality. Creates a diverse Christmas table setting in collaboration with the renowned Danish artist Anika Lori.
Karen Kjældgård-Larsen (b. 1974). Recognized Danish ceramicist and the designer behind Blue Fluted Mega. Known for her playful approach to ceramics as part of the artist duo Claydies. Karen Kjældgård-Larsen first set a Christmas Table for Royal Copenhagen in 2007.
Saks Potts. Design duo consisting of childhood friends Cathrine Saks (b. 1993) and Barbara Potts (b. 1993). Created their own fashion brand, Saks Potts, founded in 2014. Achieved international success with their designs. Recipients of the prestigious Wessel & Vett Fashion Prize in 2023.
Photo Credit: Jeppe Bjørn
All-in on Christmas in Denmark
"Christmas is wonderful, and it means the world to me to be in Denmark in December. I love the Danish Christmas with all the familiar traditions of my childhood, and it is such a lovely occasion to gather friends and family from near and far," says Lin Utzon, who, although she has lived and traveled in many parts of the world throughout her life, prefers a genuine Danish Christmas with an Advent wreath, a large decorated Christmas tree and hymn singing in the church on Christmas Eve.
Lin enjoys decorating and setting a festive and lavish Christmas table with simple but effective features. In many ways, the Christmas table is a tribute to Royal Copenhagen, which, according to Lin Utzon, helped establish her as an artist when she was first invited to decorate a Christmas table in 1986.
So, she sets the table with her own collection of porcelain – which was never put into production – decorated with azure blue dots. The tableware is accompanied by elements from Royal Copenhagen's White Fluted collection, as well as a series of boat-shaped and dotted bowls designed by Lin Utzon's friend, ceramicist Ivan Weiss.
Photo Credit: Jeppe Bjørn
A Loving Christmas in Colour
“For me, Christmas is about making your own traditions and creating a warm and loving atmosphere. And most importantly to make an effort so everyone can have a lovely evening and inspiring experience – and that you keep yourself grounded in the process,” says Alberte Winding, who has combined her joy of colour and creativity in her Christmas table, while bringing Christmas memories from each of her parents’ sides of the family to the table.
Alberte herself practices what she calls an open hosting for Christmas Eve, which means that sometimes she hosts 12 guests and other times just a few. All of whom enjoy her beautifully set Christmas table - a table that Alberte takes so seriously that she often does a little dress rehearsal. The table is constantly changing, for example, she paints a new table runner every year, preferably with lots of colours.
On the Christmas table, an aquamarine linen tablecloth forms the crisp background for Royal Copenhagen's Blue Fluted Half Lace and Coral Fluted Lace tableware. Hyacinths in coloured glass vases with homemade gold caps, as well as a row of colourful glasses, give an air of the light nights of spring soon to come.
Photo Credit: Jeppe Bjørn
Potlock Supper in the Luxury Commune
"Christmas is gentle, and it softens us, even though everything surrounding the holiday is often one big rush. That’s why we should set aside the material aspects of the holiday and make more room for emotions, togetherness, and compassion for others. We need to make room for diversity and dare to embrace each other's expectations and differences," says Jesper Binzer, who feels strange in a Christmas that is too staged. Even though he grew up with a traditional Christmas, his most important message during Christmas time is that it is not about the perfectly set table and the flawless menu, but more about the freedom to say what you want across the table.
One of Jesper Binzer's fondest Christmas memories was formed in the in the free town of Christiania in Copenhagen, where he took part in the Christmas celebration for the homeless years ago. Here, guests were welcomed by a group of volunteers who had collectively prepared a Christmas dinner and created a warm and inclusive setting for the festivities. Everyone contributed with what they could, and it is completely in Jesper Binzer's spirit that Christmas should be a joint effort.
Photo Credit: Jeppe Bjørn
A Blue Fluted Mega Christmas
"Our Christmas has always been very intimate, with only the closest family - both when I was a child and now, when it’s often just my husband and I with our three children. Occasionally, my sister and her family join us. However, we are quite festive at home, and we love to decorate. My husband collects classic Christmas decorations, especially old glass baubles, so our Christmas tree is full of ornaments," says Karen Kjældgård-Larsen, who adds homemade ceramic Christmas decorations to the family’s collection each year, complementing the traditional, folk-inspired Christmas, which Karen loves the most.
Playing with traditions has also defined Karen Kjældgård-Larsen's career as a designer and ceramicist. As a young student, she played with Royal Copenhagen's iconic mussel-painted porcelain by taking a section of the world-famous floral pattern and enlarging it. The rest is history: Blue Fluted Mega was born, and for more than two decades it has been one of Royal Copenhagen's most sought-after collections.
Photo Credit: Jeppe Bjørn
The Next Day
"Christmas brings peace and calm and is a welcomed opportunity to give back to our families in an otherwise hectic life. Christmas is the feeling of coming home, and it is the joy of being together," says Barbara Potts and Cathrine Saks, who make up the designer duo Saks Potts. Cathrine and Barbara have been friends, almost sisters, since kindergarten. They know each other's families, who share many get-togethers and moments in the holiday season.
The two childhood friends, soulmates, and business partners are looking forward to celebrating their own Christmas for the first time this year. This means that old and new traditions must come together in two new, personal, and strong interpretations of the holiday. When Christmas Eve and its events have passed, the two friends come together with their spouses and each of their little girls, Rose and Uma, for a cozy morning on the first day of Christmas.