Golden seams – the art of giving new life to what is broken

Gylne sømmer – kunsten å gi nytt liv til det som er knust

What do we do when something breaks? In an age of disposability, more and more people are choosing a different path: to repair, preserve, and highlight the history in what we own. This was also the core of the seminar Golden Seams in Porsgrunn – an event that focused on repair as craftsmanship, philosophy, and art form.

Through lectures, exhibitions, and conversations, it was explored how breaks and damages are not necessarily the end – but the beginning of something new. One of the most central themes was the Japanese technique kintsugi, which literally means "golden joinery."

The event was organized by the Porcelain Museum, Telemark Museum, Porsgrunds Porselænsfabrik, Porsgrunn Municipality, Kunsthall Grenland, and Kunstløypa – mellom bruene.

When the cracks become the most beautiful

Kintsugi is a centuries-old method where broken pottery is repaired with lacquer and precious metals such as gold. Instead of hiding the damage, it is highlighted – becoming part of the object's history.

The philosophy behind it is as important as the technique: it is about accepting imperfection and seeing the beauty in what has been through something. The cracks are no longer flaws – they become character.

This perspective is also strong in Norwegian craft traditions, where the value of materials, history, and durability has always been central. In the encounter between Japanese philosophy and Norwegian porcelain heritage, something new – and deeply meaningful – emerges.

Inspired by precisely this way of thinking, and the growing interest in repair as both a sustainable choice and a creative process, we at Porsgrund have developed our own kintsugi kit.

With this kit, you can explore the art of repair yourself – and at the same time create something unique. Whether it's a favorite cup, an inherited plate, or an object with sentimental value, kintsugi gives you the opportunity to preserve – not replace.

Buy kit here

More than a repair

Repairing with kintsugi is not just a practical act. It is a way of thinking. A way of encountering both objects and life's small (and large) breaks with greater acceptance and creativity.

The seminar Golden Seams showed how repair can have both aesthetic and emotional value – and how art and craft can contribute to reflection, calm, and even a form of healing.

When you repair something yourself, a new relationship to the object also emerges. It gains a history that you have helped to shape.

A new way to care for what you have

Instead of hiding damage or replacing what is broken, kintsugi invites us to do the opposite: to highlight the traces of use, time, and life.

Perhaps it is precisely in the cracks that we find what is most valuable.

And perhaps that is where the story truly begins.

KINTSUGI KIT GOLD

€66,95
€66,95
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Give new life to what you love with our elegant Kintsugi repair kit from Porsgrund. Inspired by the Japanese art of kintsugi, where breakages are not hidden but highlighted with beautiful, golden details, this kit allows you to repair broken ceramics in both a functional and aesthetic way.

The kit contains everything you need to reassemble broken cups, bowls, or plates – and at the same time transform the cracks into unique design elements. The result is not just a repair, but a story – an object with character and soul.

Perfect for those who want to take care of their favorite tableware in a sustainable and creative way.

Features:

  • Inspired by traditional Japanese kintsugi technique
  • Gives new life to broken ceramics
  • Highlights cracks with decorative details
  • A sustainable and creative solution
  • Perfect as a gift

Create something beautiful from what was once broken – with kintsugi, every break becomes part of the story.

Read more about the technique and philosophy of Kintsugi here

The kit contains:

  • 1 pc epoxy glue – 25 ml
  • 2 pcs gold powder – 5 ml
  • 2 pcs protective gloves
  • 4 pcs stirring sticks
  • 1 pc brush

The materials are suitable for surfaces that come into contact with food.

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