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1898 Bing & Grondahl Christmas plate Christmas Roses and Christmas Star by Fanny Garde, 7\", indent on back, no certificate, no box.
The artist may have received inspiration from the legend of the Christmas rose. According to the legend a little girl had accompanied her father to the fields on that night when the angel appeared before the shepherds telling them that a Savior had been born in Bethlehem. The older shepherds went at once to find the newborn babe, and the little girl followed them. When they arrived at the stable, the little girl watched as the wise men presented their fine gifts, and the shepherds gave their humble gifts to the Christ Child. She cried softly because she had nothing at all to give. She longed for anything, even a flower, but, alas, there were no blooming flower. Then the little girl gave the only gift she could, she offered up a prayer that God would bless the Mother and Child. Suddenly as she prayed, roses appeared where her tears had fallen. She gathered them quickly and gave them to the Christ Child who immediately turned his attention from the gems and gold of the wise men to the lovely roses. Then he smiled at the little girl who had given him first of all the gift of love and, secondly, the first Christmas roses.
The Christmas rose blooms around Christmas time. Frost and snow do not deter the blooming. The blossoms are usually white but turn a pale pink as they begin to fade.
