In the 1970s, venerable china company Noritake started making Christmas plates using Japanese figures in traditional Christian motifs. This is a gorgeous Madonna in a purple kimono, holding a baby in yellow. There's a mysterious ship in the background.

These plates were very popular in Denmark, where Christmas plates by Bing & Grondahl and by Bjorn Wiinblad were an honored tradition. This one is part of my Danish grandmother's estate, and it still bears the sticker of the shop in Copenhagen where she bought it--and the wires on which she hung it.

Measures 10. 5 inches across.

From a limited edition of only 3, 000 pieces.

From a smoke-free, pet-loving home.

This item is sold from a vintage boutique in Virginia.