The Healing Art Of Kintsugi

“It has to do with healing, without covering your scars. The gold is a way to honour your past and your history.”
Kintsugi artist, Kira Smith

We have long held a quiet admiration for the ancient art of Kintsugi. More than a method of repair, it is a philosophy that honours what has been broken and chooses to preserve it rather than discard it. Originating in Japan, Kintsugi involves mending fractured ceramics with lacquer mixed with precious metals, often gold, silver or platinum. The result is not an attempt to disguise damage, but a gentle insistence that the breakage itself has value. Something once fragile and fractured is made whole again, its history visible and revered.

At its heart, Kintsugi is about saving something precious. It asks us to pause before replacing, to consider the weight of memory and meaning carried by an object. Rather than erasing the moment of damage, the repair elevates it. The crack becomes a line of beauty, a reminder that use, time and care leave their marks. In a world that often prioritises perfection and the new, Kintsugi offers a slower, more compassionate way of seeing.

We were absolutely thrilled to hear from Kira Smith of Precious Scars Studio, who had repaired a Lam Lighting Petite Giselle flush fitting wall light using traditional Kintsugi techniques. Meeting Kira and being guided through her process was a privilege. Learning her process, the careful alignment of fragments, the patience required between each stage, and the reverence for the object itself was deeply moving. It was clear that this was not simply restoration, but an act of respect.

Kira spoke beautifully about the symbolic meaning behind her practice. For her, Kintsugi is about healing without hiding. The repair does not pretend the damage never happened. Instead, it acknowledges it openly, allowing the object to carry its story forward with dignity. The gold seams do not shout, but they do not apologise either. They quietly affirm that repair is not weakness, and that survival can be luminous.

This philosophy resonates deeply with our own approach to making. At Lam Lighting, we believe that objects gain richness through time, through care, and sometimes through repair. The Kintsugi repaired Petite Giselle now holds an added layer of meaning, one that speaks of resilience, continuity and quiet beauty. It stands as a reminder that what we choose to mend, we choose to value.

You can see more of Kira’s beautiful work and, should you ever need something precious brought back to life, you can contact her via Precious Scars Studio at: www.preciousscarsstudio.com