Inside Lars Rank’s Copenhagen Studio: Handmade Danish Christmas Ornaments
Inside the Copenhagen Studio of Lars Rank
In Copenhagen’s Christianshavn district, Danish ceramicist Lars Rank is quietly shaping the holiday season. His studio is small, calm, and purposeful - the kind of place where craft sets the tone and every object has been made with care. Each winter, Lars creates his much-loved ceramic Christmas ornaments: timeless forms inspired by tradition, refined with a modern, Scandinavian simplicity.
Tucked into Copenhagen’s historic Christianshavn district, Danish ceramicist Lars Rank works quietly, shaping pieces that feel both modern and deeply rooted in tradition. His studio is small, calm, and full of focus - shelves lined with porcelain forms, tools arranged with intention, the soft rhythm of making guiding the day.
As the holidays approach, his attention turns to the pieces many people know him for: handmade Christmas ornaments. Stars. Hearts. Angels. Each one simple in form, yet full of life. They’re created using liquid porcelain and a freehand “drawing” technique, where the clay is guided in one continuous movement. It requires confidence and speed - too slow, and the line collapses. Just right, and the ornament feels light, alive, and quietly expressive.
Lars describes his design approach as simple, with room for surprise. Clean lines. Honest materials. And then a small detail that makes you look twice. It’s this balance that gives his work its character: unmistakably Scandinavian, but never predictable.
When asked about Danish Christmas traditions, he returns to the same theme again and again - light. Candles in windows. Lanterns outside. Soft glow in dark months. Light that makes winter feel inviting. He also smiles at the mention of risalamande with cherry sauce, a classic Danish dessert shared on Christmas Eve - proof that even makers grounded in minimalism still enjoy tradition.
Of all his designs, the ceramic Christmas heart is the one he returns to most often. Inspired by the woven paper hearts found across Denmark in December, his version is pared back and sculptural, yet still familiar. The white star ornament remains the most loved - timeless, easy to live with, and beautiful year after year.
There’s nothing loud about Lars’ work. It doesn’t demand attention. It simply hangs in a window, rests on a branch, or catches candlelight - and quietly becomes part of the season.
His ornaments feel exactly like the holidays should: simple, handmade, and full of warmth.
