Erik Bendtsen and the Poetry of Danish Christmas Bowls
In Denmark, Christmas is not merely a season. It is a ritual.
It is light in the darkness, warmth at the table, and traditions passed from one generation to the next. Few objects capture this spirit more beautifully than the traditional Danish Christmas bowl, and few makers honor this heritage as exquisitely as Erik Bendtsen.
At BON TON goods, we are proud to present these rare, hand-crafted bowls, each one a small work of art, steeped in Nordic history and designed to be used, loved, and handed down.
A Danish Tradition: Risengrød & Jul
In Danish homes, risengrød (traditional Danish rice porridge) is far more than a simple dish. It is a Christmas ritual. Slowly simmered rice, whole milk, butter, cinnamon, and sugar come together in a dish served throughout adventstiden (the Advent season). Hidden inside is often a single mandel (almond) that brings luck to the one who finds it.
These bowls were traditionally created specifically for this purpose - Small, rounded, warm to the touch, with hand-painted motifs that quietly whispered God Jul (Merry Christmas)... symbols found at the heart of Scandinavian holiday culture.
Erik Bendtsen: A Master of Danish Ceramic Tradition
Erik Bendtsen’s work stands firmly within the long tradition of dansk keramik (Danish ceramics), where quiet beauty and function meet. His Christmas bowls are thrown and glazed by hand, featuring charming motifs in classic Scandinavian reds, greens, and warm cream tones.
Each bowl carries a small, painted story - A burning candle, symbol of winter light, A tiny Christmas tree, the juletræ, A heart with “God Jul” written in flowing hand, A stylized snowman figure
These are not factory-perfect objects. They are levende keramik (living ceramics), meant to be touched, used, and treasured.
More Than Just Bowls
While deeply rooted in the tradition of risengrød, these bowls translate beautifully into modern rituals:
For is (ice cream) on cold winter evenings
For småkager (Christmas cookies)
For nødder (nuts) and juleslik (holiday sweets)
For små skatte (small treasures) like ornaments or heirlooms
Many of our collectors use them as, Decorative dishes on a Christmas table, Jewelry or keepsake bowls, Small serving bowls for festive gatherings.
They move seamlessly from functional to poetic.
Scandinavian Christmas in Its Purest Form
These bowls represent what Scandinavian design does best, Simplicity, Honesty, Craft, Emotion
They embody hygge, traditioner, and julestemning (Christmas atmosphere) in a single, humble form.
A Danish Christmas without risengrød is almost unthinkable. And risengrød without the proper bowl feels incomplete.
These are the objects that make a home feel like a home in winter.
For Collectors and Nordic Design Lovers
Because Bendtsen’s bowls are made in small numbers and are painted by hand, no two are exactly alike. For collectors of:
Scandinavian folk art, Nordic ceramics, Vintage Danish design, Christmas ephemera
These bowls are increasingly rare.
They are not simply seasonal. They are timeless.
Explore the full collection at BON TON goods and bring a piece of Danish Christmas, Danish tradition, and Danish craftsmanship into your home.