The body is hard-paste porcelain, cast in an organic two-lobed form with an undulating rim — the kind of shape that suggests something found rather than fabricated, a white shore-smoothed vessel waiting to hold what the day sets down. The exterior is glaze-white and undecorated. The interior is the point: a maritime scene in tonal grisaille — slate blue, dove gray, and white — depicting a gaff-rigged sloop under full sail on open water. Sky and sea meet at a soft horizon. The sails catch wind. The hull sits low and the water holds its reflection in dark horizontal strokes. The painting is beneath the glaze, fired in, permanent.
Bing & Grøndahl was founded in Copenhagen in 1853 and remained one of Denmark's two premier porcelain houses for 134 years. The three-tower backstamp — taken from the Coat of Arms of Copenhagen — is among the most recognized marks in European porcelain. B&G distinguished itself through underglaze decoration: pigment applied to the unfired body before glazing, producing color of lasting depth that cannot be abraded. Their maritime and landscape subjects — atmospheric, painterly, rendered in the cool blue-gray palette particular to Danish light — are among the most collected of their decorative lines. In 1987, B&G merged with Royal Copenhagen, ending production under the independent B&G name.
The base carries the three-tower mark, "B&G KJØBENHAVN / MADE IN DENMARK," model number 474-88, and the circled K first-quality stamp.
Condition: Porcelain body intact — no chips, cracks, or repairs. Glaze bright and uncompromised. Underglaze maritime scene fully intact; no fading or wear. Minor dust in foot ring consistent with age. First quality, as stamped.
Hunter's Notes
Hunter's notes pending.
The Archive Record — JLM-250017
| Maker |
Bing & Grøndahl, Copenhagen, Denmark |
| Established |
1853 |
| Object |
Porcelain trinket dish / pin dish with underglaze maritime scene |
| Material |
Hard-paste porcelain; underglaze grisaille decoration |
| Construction |
Slip-cast; two-lobed organic form; underglaze maritime painting; glaze-fired |
| Era |
Mid-to-late 20th century, pre-1987 Royal Copenhagen merger | confidence: confirmed |
| Country of Origin |
Denmark — confirmed |
| Condition Tier |
Excellent |
| Condition |
No chips, cracks, or repairs. Glaze bright and uncompromised. Underglaze maritime scene fully intact. Minor foot ring dust. First quality, as stamped. |
| Hunt Provenance |
Pending — location not recorded |
| Authentication |
Struck backstamp — B&G three-tower mark, KJØBENHAVN / MADE IN DENMARK; model 474-88; circled K first-quality stamp |
| Comparable Sold |
$35–$65 (eBay / Etsy — May 2026) |
| JLM Price |
$45 |
| Food Safe |
yes — food-safe porcelain; recommend standard vintage caution |
| Lead Risk |
unknown — age-appropriate caution |
| Child Safe |
unknown |
| Gift Idea |
Scandinavian Collector, Desk or Vanity Dish, Holiday |
Product Specs
| Dimensions |
5″ D × 4.5″ W × 1″ H |
| Weight |
0.5 lb |
