A porcelain cow fits nicely along with a collection of porcelain figurines of people in agriculture clothes. The black/white cow is the most common dairy cow in Denmark today and it is also this race, of which there are manufactured most porcelain figurines. Today there are several different breeds of cattle in Denmark, but many of them were not very common at the time the production of porcelain cows from Bing & Grondahl and Royal Copenhagen was at its peak.
Today the horse is basically only used for personal purposes and for most horse breeds, the focus is on riding characteristics. At the time, B&G and Royal Copenhagen produced porcelain horses, the horses were more used as working horses. Today many are fascinated by the splendid working horses, but the necessity of working horses now no longer exists.
The symbolic meaning of the cow and the horse
The horse is described with huge power but also great caution toward its surroundings. The great personal power of the horse is physical but not to forget spiritual as well. Furthermore the horse is described with words as speed, grace, perseverance, loyalty and magnanimity.
The cow symbolises mother earth and the richness of our earth. The cow is seen as a positive and good-natured animal. According to an old hindu tradition from India the cow is a holy symbol.
The cow and the horse have through history had both a big physical and symbolic impact on the life of humans. See the many beautiful figurines of horses and cows from marks as Royal Copenhagen and Bing & Grondahl.
Figurines of cows from Royal Copenhagen and Bing & Grondahl
Once Danish Red cattle was the most popular in Denmark, but gradually many of them have been replaced by Holstein-Frieser and Jersey cattle.
The cattle figurines showing both calves, cows and bulls are wonderfully sweet figurines for the shelf. The different figurines of calves lying done in a relaxed way make for a beautiful and funny gift especially for mother's or father's day. Also for anyone involved in the agricultural business these bovine figurines make wonderful gifts. Every little cowboy or cowgirl should have one! And the aspiring bull rider should have a figurine of a bull on his table to set the mood.
Bing & Grondahl and Royal Copenhagen have produced several figurines of cows and calves. Both brands have also produced a piebald bull.The Royal Copenhagen bull stands with head down and tail up - we can actually feel that it is ready for battle. The Bing & Grondahl bull shows the animal in a quieter moment when it stands peacefully looking around. B&G has also made a cow licking the abdomen and lying calf licks the stomach. B&G has also made a calf standing on three legs while scratching his head with the fourth leg. The designers behind Bing and Grondahl cows are varied and include Svend Jespersen Laurits Jensen and Sveistrup Madsen.
Also, Royal Copenhagen has produced a whole family, as they too have released a lying cow, which gently take care of her calf and a larger calf lying down. The artist behind the Royal Copenhagen Holstein cows was Knud Kyhn, who designed many animal figures for the factory. He is known for a detailed expression, in porcelain as well as stoneware.
Royal Copenhagen has also released a lying and a standing Jersey cow, but there was only produced few pieces and they can be difficult to find. They were only produced over a period of approximately 20 years. The Jersey cows were designed by Jeanne Grut.
Royal Copenhagen and Bing & Grondahl figurines of horses
In the old days when the horse was a working animal, and today, when the horse is a pet, many people are interested and fascinated by this magnificent animal. In Denmark, the horse has always been an important colleague in agriculture, where it was an important partner in the harvesting, sowing and transport. Therefore, in the context of the many agricultural figurines from Bing & Grondahl and Royal Copenhagen, the factories have naturally also released porcelain figurines of horses.
The Belgian stallion from Bing & Grondahl is a beautiful example of how highly appreciated the horse was and how much power it had. The same applies to the golden horse from Royal Copenhagen, which stands with outstretched neck and ears back. In both figurines, we feel how much power the horse has.
The Royal Copenhagen horse with harness is also incredibly beautiful. The horse is ready to be harnessed to the wagon and can also carry a rider on his back.
Today, the horse is a highly appreciated pet and one of the major hobbies in Denmark. The beauty and grace of the horse have always fascinated humans and therefore today we mainly use the horse in competitions where their beauty will be evaluated and appreciated. Over time, both Royal Copenhagen and Bing & Grondahl have produced several figurines of horses, which shows their beauty and temperament.
Royal Copenhagen Lippizaner figurine shows this noble breed that is often associated with the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. There is also produced some figurines of foals from Royal Copenhagen, which probably relates to our delight of the sweet and spirited foal we see jumping around on the fields in spring and summer. A Royal Copenhagen foal can be difficult to find as there are many collectors for horses and foals figurines.
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