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 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
$681 / item
H 9.76 in W 7.76 in D 0.6 in
High-Quality Photo Frame with Butterfly Motif in Silver and Gold Metal.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Contemporary, high-quality photo frame with ginkgo and butterfly motif in silver and gold metal. Add a touch of botanical beauty to your home decor with this exquisitely designed ph...
Metal
A fine Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Photo frame
Located in London, GB
A superb Napoleon III gilt bronze and satin lined photo frame, with space for three photos. Superb gilt bronze mounts, of good size. With a strut foot, or hoops, allowing it to be pl...
Bronze
Genuine Cowhide 5" x 7" Photo Frame
Located in Miami, FL
Offered is an Italian-crafted cow-hide and leather photo frame that fits a 5" x 7" photograph below the protective glass shield. The frame measures 10.375" W, 0.375" D, and 12.5" H.
Cowhide, Leather, Glass, Paper
$4,094
H 0.99 in W 7.49 in D 4.73 in
Photo Frame Butterfly-Shaped Fired Enamel on Guillochè Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Giorgio Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Butterfly-shaped photo frame in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent polychrome fired enamels on hand engraving that imitates the veins of the wings. External dimens...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Clear Murano Photo Frame
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage photo frame with hand blown clear Murano "Torciglione" glass border / Made in Italy circa 1960s Measures: Height: 13 inches / width: 10 inches / depth: 2 inches For photo siz...
Brass
Napoleon III bronze photo frame
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Napoleon III bronze photo frame Origin France Circa 1900 Napoleon the Third style gilt bronze frame decorated with perfectly set colored stones Materials Gilded bronze and paste ston...
Multi-gemstone, Bronze
Arts and Crafts Wood Photo Frame in the Style of Michael Graves
By Ralph Lauren, Neiman Marcus, Michael Graves (b.1934), Carrs of Sheffield 1
Located in San Diego, CA
Stylish and architectural wooden plated photo frame. Stylish and unique, this piece follows design inspiration from Michael Graves and the Arts and Crafts movement with its design, ...
Metal, Silver Plate
$450
H 16.5 in W 12 in D 5 in
Antique French Regency Style Cast Brass Bronze Figural Eagle Photo Picture Frame
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Regency Style Cast Brass Bronze Figural Eagle Picture Frame. Item features a figural eagle bird finial, ball and claw feet, ornate casting throughout, very nice antiqu...
Brass
Vintage Round Scalloped Capiz Photo Frame - India
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A round vintage scalloped capiz photo frame. This piece will be a great addition to a bedside table, bookshelf, or side table. The frame is created from pearlized capiz which is arra...
Shell
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
$813
H 13.39 in W 11.82 in D 1.58 in
20th Century Photo Frame in Patinated and Gilded Metal, Butterfly Design.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
20th century photo frame in patinated and gilded metal, butterfly design. 20th century photo frame in patinated and gilded metal, decorated with butterflies, contemporary work. Con...
Metal
1960s Resin Photo Frame for Two Photos.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Resin photo frame for two photos from the 1960s. Contact us before ordering to confirm product availability. Dimensions : H: 15,5cm, W: 20cm, D: 2cm
Resin
Michael Aram Butterfly Ginkgo Easel Photo Frame
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 fauna. Executed at the highest level of hand-craftsmanship each piece is rendered in solid cast bronze.The pieces in the collection are a tour de force of Indian craft and capture the poetic spirit that is so deeply indicative of Michael's work. Branches and butterflies in warm-toned bronze bring a touch of nature to this Butterfly Ginkgo Easel frame by Michael Aram, adding a sweet accent to your cherished memories. "The idea that the leaves on the Gingko tree could evoke the beauty of butterflies was magical to me, like trees that can metamorphose from flora to fauna in the blink of an eye." Michael Aram * Includes: 8.5"W X 6"H easel...
Bronze