Bjørn Wiinblad for Rosenthal Studio-Line “Engel mit Glockenspiel” Christmas Art Plate, 1980

The Story

A spectacular collision of color, fantasy, and ornament, this 1980 Rosenthal Studio-Line plate was designed by celebrated Danish artist Bjørn Wiinblad, whose unmistakable figures and lavish decorative vocabulary made him one of the most recognizable Scandinavian artists of the 20th century.

Titled “Engel mit Glockenspiel” — “Angel with Glockenspiel” — the composition centers on one of Wiinblad's fantastical figures holding a small bell, surrounded by an almost kaleidoscopic field of scrolling forms, jewels, florals, and architectural motifs.

Rosenthal's backstamp identifies the piece as its 1980 Christmas plate, hand decorated (handdekoriert) and produced as a time-limited edition for the year 1980.

This is maximalism long before maximalism became a decorating trend: exuberant, theatrical, highly detailed, and impossible to ignore.

The Object

The plate is especially striking for its extraordinary palette. Acid yellow and chartreuse meet turquoise, powder blue, pink, coral, red, deep black, ivory, and shimmering gold.

Look closely and the complexity becomes even more apparent. Tiny gilt flourishes trace the angel's jewelry, costume, bell, headdress, and surrounding ornament, while the broad decorative border becomes a composition of its own.

The lower border incorporates “Weihnachten 1980” alongside a large gilt Bjørn Wiinblad signature, making the artist's identity an important part of the visual design rather than something hidden on the reverse.

At 11.25 inches in diameter, it has enough scale to stand alone as a statement piece of wall art. An integrated hanger on the reverse makes it ready for display.

Collected Beauty

• Authentic Bjørn Wiinblad design for Rosenthal Studio-Line
• Dated 1980
• Titled Engel mit Glockenspiel
• Hand-decorated porcelain
• Time-limited 1980 edition
• Extraordinary jewel-tone color palette
• Extensive gold detailing throughout
• Prominent Bjørn Wiinblad signature incorporated into the design
• Original Rosenthal markings on reverse
• Integrated wall hanger
• Wonderful for maximalist, Scandinavian modern, European modernist, or eclectic interiors

Details

• Designer: Bjørn Wiinblad
• Maker: Rosenthal Studio-Line
• Origin: Germany
• Date: 1980
• Title: Engel mit Glockenspiel
• Material: Porcelain
• Decoration: Polychrome and gilt, hand decorated
• Weight: 1.12 lbs
• Display: Integrated wall hanger

Dimensions

• Diameter: 11.25"

Condition Report

Beautiful vintage condition with vivid, exceptionally well-preserved decoration. Please review all photographs closely, particularly the detailed images, as they form an important part of the condition description.