Wave Ray

Bølge Strå

For over 135 years, Porsgrunds Porselænsfabrik has created porcelain that carries on Norwegian craft traditions. Bølge Strå is among the newest and most ambitious extensions of this legacy – a dinnerware set that combines the iconic, hand-painted straw pattern with a wave shape that embodies the history of the sea and porcelain's journey to Norway. Produced and hand-painted at our factory in Porsgrunn, Bølge Strå is a full-blooded Norwegian product from the first step to the last brushstroke.

What is Wave Straw?

Bølge Strå combines the iconic, hand-painted straw pattern with the modern wave shape to create a dinnerware set that unites tradition with innovative design. This fine porcelain dinnerware is hand-painted by Porsgrund's most skilled straw painters, and each piece is a unique expression of craftsmanship passed down through generations. Produced to last for generations, Bølge Strå is perfect for those who want a combination of aesthetics, tradition, and functionality in their dinnerware. The wavy relief gently recedes inwards on each individual piece – just like waves recede towards the shore – creating a tactile and visual depth that makes the dinnerware more than just functional objects. It is a dinnerware set you notice in your hand as much as you see it on the table.

Cathrine Kirkerud the designer behind

Bølge Strå is designed by Cathrine Kirkerud and Erik Lindeberg, both permanent employees in Porsgrunds Porselænsfabrik's own design team. Cathrine Kirkerud is one of the factory's most central design voices and is also behind popular series such as Jordbæreng and Ingrid.

Their desire was to create dinnerware that reflects the present as well as Porsgrund's historical connection to the ocean and sea. As Cathrine Kirkerud herself described it: the undulating relief with its soft silhouettes mirrors the sea and the dynamic movements of water, where the relief gradually subsides on the pieces, just as waves diminish towards land.

The wavy relief is not just an aesthetic choice – it is a fundamental element that connects form language and symbolism. Throughout the design process, it was central to combine good functionality with unique details that give character to each individual product in the series.

Read more about the designer here

Wave white & straw

  • Bølge hvitt

    Wave white

    Bølge is a modern and stylish tableware collection that combines timeless design with high quality. Crafted from fine porcelain, the collection features a wave-like texture that creates a dynamic and elegant expression on the table. Each piece is carefully designed to withstand daily use while maintaining its refined aesthetic. With...

    Wave white
  • Bølge strå

    Wave straw

    Bølge Strå combines the iconic, hand-painted straw pattern with a modern wave shape, creating a tableware collection that blends tradition with innovative design. This fine porcelain set has been hand-painted by Porsgrund’s most skilled porcelain painters, making each plate a unique work of art. Crafted to last for generations, Bølge...

    Wave straw

The symbolism of the wave – porcelain over the sea

The Wave relief is more than just a beautiful shape. It symbolizes the story of how porcelain came across the sea to Norway when Porsgrunds Porselænsfabrik started as a porcelain manufacturer in 1885. The first raw materials and the German experts who built the factory arrived by sea. The porcelain itself – inspired by Chinese and European porcelain traditions – had traveled long distances across oceans before finding its Norwegian form in Porsgrunn. The sleek Wave relief carries this story on every platter, every plate, every mug. This makes Bølge Strå a dinnerware set with a narrative baked into its very form.
Norwegian production

White gold – the material behind Bølge Strå

Bølge Strå is made from high-fired feldspathic porcelain – the same material Porsgrunds Porselænsfabrik has used since its inception, traditionally known as "white gold." It is characterized by:

  • A translucent white appearance with a clear, glossy glaze
  • 100 percent density – no absorption of liquids
  • Very high robustness suitable for daily use
  • Pure natural materials with no additives
  • Fully dishwasher safe

It is this same material quality that has made Porsgrund's dinnerware items to be inherited rather than discarded.

See the products

Mix and match – the blue dinnerware classics

Bølge Strå belongs to Porsgrund's family of blue dinnerware classics, along with Bogstad Stråmønster – the original hand-painted version of the dinnerware – as well as Ministrå, Maxistrå, and Bluebird. All are produced in the same high-fired feldspar porcelain and share the characteristic blue and white color palette, making it easy to combine collections on the table and create a personalized, layered expression.
  • Bogstad stråmønster

    Bogstad straw pattern

    Bogstad Straw Pattern is our oldest and most tradition-rich tableware collection, hand-painted by Porsgrund’s finest porcelain painters in accordance with heritage craftsmanship and original design. This fine porcelain set is a quality product that has been produced at Porsgrunds Porselænsfabrik since its founding in 1887. Each piece is made to...

    Bogstad straw pattern
  • Ministrå

    Minister

    Ministrå is a modern and simplified version of the traditional Bogstad Straw Pattern. The collection preserves the delicate, hand-painted character of the original while introducing an updated, contemporary style. Ministrå combines classic elegance with a fresh, modern expression, making it perfect for both everyday use and special occasions. With its...

    Minister

  • Maximum straw

    Maxistrå is a contemporary interpretation of the classic Bogstad Straw Pattern from 1887, featuring enlarged and accentuated design elements. This gives the collection a distinctive and updated look while preserving Porsgrund’s rich traditions. Maxistrå pairs beautifully with other tableware collections from Porsgrunds Porselænsfabrik, creating a varied yet harmonious table setting.

    Maximum straw
  • Bluebird

    Bluebird

    Bluebird is a cozy and nostalgic tableware collection designed by Maud Bugge. Rooted in Porsgrund’s history—where blue and white have always been central colours—the Bluebird collection blends tradition with modern design. Its charming bluebird pattern brings a fresh and light atmosphere to the table.

    Bluebird

Bølge strå is for you who:

  • Wants the long tradition of the hand-painted straw pattern in a modern and sculptural form
  • Appreciates Norwegian production and craftsmanship down to the smallest detail
  • Wants a dinnerware set with a true story in its form – about the ocean, travel, and Norwegian porcelain history
  • Values a unique, functional design that works equally well for everyday use and special occasions

Designed by Cathrine Kirkerud and Erik Lindeberg, hand-painted by the straw painters in Porsgrunn, and produced with the same high quality that has characterized Porsgrunds Porselænsfabrik since 1885 – Bølge Strå is a dinnerware set for those who want something that lasts and has meaning.

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