Known for his intricate metal furniture, jewelry and housewares, Michael Aram is something of a throwback in the world of design: a hands-on maker, both artist and artisan. Aram’s idiosyncratic style and the inherent authenticity of each of his handmade designs have made him a favorite of contemporary collectors.
Aram — full name: Michael Aram Wolohojian — was born in Providence, Rhode Island, to a tight-knit Armenian family and grew up in Scarsdale, New York. He studied art in Florence, Italy, and at the Art Students League in New York.
While on a 1989 trip to India, Aram was exposed to metalworking traditions such as sand-casting and hand-forging, and he became entranced with these techniques. He stayed in the country to study metalsmithing and collaborated with local craftsmen on his own designs, and still maintains a workshop in New Delhi.
A few of Aram’s lines are based on simple geometric shapes, but the majority are inspired by nature, in particular trees, flowers and other plant life. Rendered in materials that range from silvered bronze to patinated brass to nickel-plated steel, Aram’s forms for such lines as Sleepy Hollow and Black Orchid are drawn directly from botanical sources. He is likely unusual among contemporary designers for sometimes using the same decorative motif for both furniture and tableware pieces but his works are warm, witty, well-made and unlike any you’ve seen before.
Find Michael Aram serveware, vases and other decorative objects and furniture on 1stDibs.
Michael Aram Black Orchid Bowl
By Michael Aram
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Elegant steel bowl features striking nickel-plated handle formed by long twisting stem of flowering orchid draped around the bowl. The dark color and organic, natural, Art Deco style...
Stainless Steel
Michael Aram Butterfly Ginkgo Silver Bowl, Hand-Crafted in India
By Michael Aram
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Michael Aram Butterfly Ginkgo metal silver bowl with original box. The Michael Aram Butterfly Ginkgo Collection celebrates the representation of flora and fauna. Executed at the high...
Metal
Vintage Boho Michael Aram Lemonwood Nut Bowl
By Michael Aram
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This Vintage Boho Michael Aram Lemonwood Nut Bowl is a stunning blend of nature-inspired design and artisanal craftsmanship. Featuring a beautifully textured, hand-sculpted lemon bra...
Metal
$143Sale Price / item|20% Off
Michael Aram Criss Cross Trays, Anodized Aluminum, Vintage, USA, 1990s
By Michael Aram
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Pair of Criss Cross, the famous trays, dated some years ago, by Michael Aram . They are decorative trays in anodized aluminum (or steel ?), suitable for fruit or mail. The price is ...
Steel, Aluminum
Hand-Carved Marble Lily Pad Soap Dish by Michael W. Dreeben, India
Located in Chicago, IL
These hand-carved marble soap dishes are crafted by traditional artisans in Rajasthan State, India. Their shape derives from lily pads, and they drain excellently, sparing one's soap from getting soggy. DESIGNER Michael W...
Marble
Lalique Crystal Oval Centerpiece Bowl, Orchid Design, France, 1980s
By Lalique
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Beautiful rare Lalique centerpiece adorned with orchids on each end. This oval shaped centerpiece bowl has understated elegance.
Crystal
Large Michael Lax Polished Aluminum Bowl
By Michael Lax, Fana Metaal
Located in Ferndale, MI
Large asymmetrically shaped aluminum bowl. Makers mark on underside .
Aluminum
$795
H 2 in W 8.5 in D 5.5 in
1950s Danish Teak Freeform Carved Nut Bowl Table Centerpiece Vintage Modern
By Finn Juhl
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Obscure Danish Design Company, AL-BO. Highly finished, thin walled Teak wedge-shaped bowl.
Teak
$1,200
H 1.58 in W 14.97 in D 9.45 in
Bo Fjæstad, decorative bowl in hand cut wood, Rackstadgruppen / Arts & Crafts.
Located in Stockholm, SE
Bo Fjæstad (Sweden, 1903-1991), decorative and functional bowl in hand cut wood. Stained pine. Bo Fjaestad, the son of Gustaf & Maja was born into a home of creativity, art and des...
Pine
Porcelain Tray Animal Cat, 1990s
By Lynn Chase Designs
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful '90s 'Amazonian Jaguar' cat porcelain rectangular serving tray, Art Deco style, by designer Lynn Chase, 1994, late-20th century. A porcelain tray, with animal print desig...
Gold
Large Michael Lax Polished Aluminum Bowl
By Michael Lax
Located in Chicago, IL
Large Michael Lax polished aluminum bowl Some wear on the interior center area as shown. Would be a good piece to possibly have polished.
Aluminum
Michael Aram Butterfly Ginkgo Photo Frame, Cast Bronze, India, 1999
By Michael Aram
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Michael Aram Butterfly Ginkgo Easel Photo Frame with original box. The Michael Aram Butterfly Ginkgo Collection, including the photo frame, celebrates the representation of flora and...
Bronze
Antique Swedish Folk Art Hand-Crafted Painted Bowl
Located in Kramfors, SE
Painted folk art bowl from northern Sweden made during the early 1800s, around 1820. The bowl has an oval shape and has been hollowed out by hand from a single large piece of wood. B...
Wood
Older Hand-Crafted Utilitarian African Bowl
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and fine older African Wood Bowl with great form and excellent balance. Hand-carved with extensive evidence of the crafting as seen in the innumerable time softened adze mark...
Wood
Olden Design Norway Anodized Catch it all Elongated Low Bowl/Tray
By Metlox Manufacturing Company
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vibrant color on this olden design Norway anodized elonged bowl tray, circa 1970s industrial design.
Aluminum
Michael Bauermeister Carved Wooden Bowl
By Michael Bauermeister
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Michael Bauermeister Carved Wooden Bowl This bowl measures: 15 wide x 7.5 deep x 13 inches high Excellent Vintage Condition. We take our photos in a controlled lighting studio to ...
Wood
Michael Aram Olive Branch Silver Catch All Dish
By Michael Aram
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Michael Aram Olive Branch Silver Catch All Dish.Michael Aram Art Studio hand-hammered nickel plated bowl held up by a bronze olive tree branch. Elegan...
Metal
Sold
H 2.25 in W 7 in D 6.5 in
Aram Art Deco American Hand-Hammered Nickel & Bronze Branch Handle Serving Dish
By Michael Aram
Located in Miami, FL
Michael Aram Art Deco hand-hammered nickel plated and bronze tree branch serving dish. Elegant and great quality craftsmanship. Marked at the Base.
Bronze, Nickel
Decorative Nickelplated Bowl By Michael Aram
By Michael Aram
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Nickelplated egg shaped bowl with top by artist Michael Aram. Michael Aram is an American born artist who works primarily in metal. Each piece is lovingly made using age old traditio...