1976 Royal Copenhagen Christmas Plate - Vibaek Mill Designed by Sven Vestergaard Plate Titled Vibaek Mill (Vibk Mill) also known as Danish Mill Vibk Watermill (Sydals - Denmark) lies on the southern coast of Als, in the open countryside. It is sited on a little brook traditionally regarded as holy. The building dates from the eighteenth century. Restoration work has been done on it. Founded in 1775, Royal Copenhagen is one of the world's oldest companies, and for more than 235 years our products have been made with not only the deepest respect for tradition, but also the highest standards of craftsmanship.Royal Copenhagen is a highly distinguished brand, renowned for its exclusive quality porcelain products and its immaculate design. Royal Copenhagen is known worldwide for being Danish, and for maintaining our classic blue and white porcelain, both made and painted entirely by hand. But we are also known for the daring of our renewal and innovation. Various new collections maintain our success in modern homes, and our porcelain is a desirable symbol of an up-to-date and quality-conscious lifestyle. We highly value the respect our products have earned by continuously, and with untiring enthusiasm, sustaining the high standards of craftsmanship that gives our products the very quality for which they are so well known. The Royal Copenhagen brand is deeply respected by costumers and by artists, designers and employees. Our employees are all ambassadors for the very values that Royal Copenhagen represents, and they all possess a profound knowledge of the products, from the way they are carefully manufactured to the history of every item. Designed by Sven Vestergaard. About the artist from the Royal Copenhagen Web Site - *Employed at the Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Manufactory as an overglaze painter, 1952-59. * Designer of the Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Manufactory's Centenary Bowl, 1975. * Designer of Royal Copenhagen's Christmas plates, 1985-. * Own studio, working on a freelance basis for Royal Copenhagen, 1989-. An early start.... At the age of 16 Sven Vestergaard was employed at the Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Manufactory as an apprentice in the overglaze department. The effect of this decision is still evident in his meticulous attention to minute detail and the subtleties of the porcelain medium. In 1959 Sven left the Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Manufactory and started working as illustrator at various Danish advertising agencies as well as Berlingske Tidende, Denmark's oldest newspaper. ...and a happy return When the position as draughtsman in the factory's design studio became vacant in 1975, Sven Vestergaard, who had never lost his love for porcelain, was happy to return and develop his talents as an artist. That same year Sven Vestergaard's artwork was chosen for the Christmas plate, "Danish Watermill", his first Christmas plate in a series of many. In 1985 he became designer of Royal Copenhagen's Christmas plates and in 1989 he got his own studio, working on a freelance basis for Royal Copenhagen.