Identification
Photo reference
2 uploaded photos
Overview
This is the official 1972 annual Christmas plate (Jule After) designed by Kai Lange for Royal Copenhagen. Crafted in high-relief porcelain with the brand's iconic cobalt underglaze, it depicts the Three Wise Men traveling on camels under palm trees beneath the Star of Bethlehem. The secondary market for this specific 1972 plate is highly consistent, with multiple verified retail and marketplace sales anchoring firmly at $20.
Story
Royal Copenhagen has produced its iconic annual Christmas plates since 1908, utilizing their signature cobalt blue underglaze technique. The 1972 edition, titled 'In the Desert' (Østerland), was designed by Kai Lange, a prominent artist for the manufactory who designed decades of these holiday issues. The secondary market for mid-20th-century Royal Copenhagen Christmas plates is heavily saturated. While highly recognizable and historically popular, mass production during the 1970s means supply far outstrips current collector demand.
Maker / Origin
Unattributed
Condition & Value
The valuation assumes standard 'excellent' vintage condition as described, with no chips, cracks, or repairs. For these plates, value relies heavily on a pristine glaze without scratches or fading. Any chips to the rim or foot would render the plate largely unsellable given the abundance of perfect examples on the market.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
The secondary market for mid-20th-century Royal Copenhagen Christmas plates is heavily saturated. While highly recognizable and historically popular, mass production during the 1970s means supply far outstrips current collector demand. Most plates from this era trade as accessible decorative items or replacement pieces rather than high-value investments, moving reliably but slowly at very accessible price points.
▲ Exact year and pattern matches across multiple verified platforms firmly establish the $20 baseline.
▲ Signature Royal Copenhagen cobalt blue underglaze remains popular for traditional holiday decor.
▲ Excellent condition without chips or cracks is mandatory to achieve the stated estimate.
▼ High market saturation for 1970s editions strictly caps upward price mobility.
▼ Lack of original box or paperwork limits appeal to strict 'in-box' collectors.
▼ Any unmentioned surface scratches to the glaze would drop the value to near zero due to replacement availability.
Best Venue
Given the $20 market value, an individual online auction listing may not yield a strong net return after shipping and fees. Consider bundling with other years if available, or listing at a fixed price of $20-$25 on platforms like eBay or Etsy for buyers seeking this specific birth year or replacement. Alternatively, it makes an excellent local consignment or antique booth staple.
Upside Potential
There is virtually no upside above the $25 high-end for a single, unboxed 1972 plate due to massive production volumes; exceeding this range would require it being sold as part of a larger, multi-decade consecutive collection.