Deceptively simple in design, the furniture of artist and woodworker Michael Elkan reveals the influence of mid-century modernism and the American Craftsman style and renders prominent the raw, rustic and natural beauty of wood.
Born in Philadelphia in 1942, Elkan spent his youth working in his family’s store, which sold children’s clothing. At the age of 18, he started his career as a salesman in the fashion industry before working in manufacturing.
Despite a lack of formal education, Elkan began designing apparel and his talents led him to becoming a designer for brands such as Forum Sportswear and Faded Glory during the late 1960s. His fashion designs appeared in numerous publications including Esquire, GQ, Menswear Daily and the New York Times.
In 1973, Elkan quit his job as a fashion designer and, with his wife, trekked across the United States. Upon arriving in Oregon, Elkan became enamored with the state’s forests and decided to settle there. After several years of farm and forestry work, Elkan became deeply interested in maple burl wood and began making live-edge burl boxes.
By 1980, Elkan established Silver Splinter (later Michael Elkan Studio) where he designed and produced items such as decorative boxes, jewelry boxes, console tables, stools and other furniture and objects. That year, Elkan’s unique approach to design caught the eye of acclaimed American designer and architect George Nakashima, who bought several of Elkan’s pieces to sell in his studio.
In 1993, Elkan was commissioned to create furniture for Oregon’s newly opened Museum at Warm Springs. Two years later, he wrote his book, Reading the Wood: Techniques and Projects from a Master Woodworker.
Elkan decided to retire from woodworking in 2002. After closing his studio, he moved to Mexico to explore other artistic endeavors such as architecture, garden design and creating cement furniture.
Before he died in 2014, Elkan’s pieces were shown in several major gallery exhibitions and featured at the Smithsonian Craft Show, the American Craft Museum and elsewhere. Today, Elkan’s works are held in many private collections, including that of acclaimed textile designer Jack Lenor Larsen and others, and are highly sought by interior designers, decorators and collectors of 20th-century wood furniture.
On 1stDibs, find a range of vintage Michael Elkan decorative objects, seating and tables.
Michael Elkan Burl Maple wood jewelry box, signed
By Michael Elkan
Located in BELFORT, FR
Jewelry box signed by Michael Elkan, made of Oregon Burl Maple wood.
Wood, Burl
Michael Elkan Hinged Burl Jewelry Box
By Michael Elkan
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful Michael Elkan Burl Box, hinged top opens to revel open space for jewelry, keepsakes etc. American Craft Studio made box, but recognized master of woodworking.
Burl
Michael Elkan Free Edge Jewelry Box in Bird's-Eye Maple, c. 1980
By Michael Elkan
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Dual-compartment jewelry box with beveled sides, a free edge, and natural finger pull to lid, executed in bird's-eye maple by Michael Elkan. A part...
Birdseye Maple
Michael Elkan Live Edge Burl Box, Modern Design, United States, 1980s
By Michael Elkan
Located in New York, NY
Studio craft raw edge burl box with hinged lid, which conceals 2 compartments. Signed Michael Elkan.
Burl
Decorative Box in bird’s-Eye Maple Burl by Michael Elkan
By Michael Elkan
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A wonderful lidded box made by Michael Elkan from Oregon Birdseye Maple Burl. Box features a live edge front with great movement. Lid is not hinged like ma...
Birdseye Maple
Michael Elkan Large Burl Wood Studio Crafted Jewelry Trinket Desk Storage Box
By Michael Elkan
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Michael Elkan Large Burl Wood Studio Crafted Jewelry Trinket Desk Storage Box. Item featured has artist signature to underside, beautiful wood grain, quality craftsmanship, great sty...
Wood
Michael Elkan Burled Wood Box
By Michael Elkan
Located in Highland, IN
This lovely trinket box in Oregon bird’s-eye maple burl by Silverton, OR woodworker Michael Elkan has a beautiful, rich color and texture. Handcrafted from a single piece of wood, th...
Burl
Free Edge Burl Wood Jewelry Box Manner of Michael Elkans 1970's, USA
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Free Edge Burl Wood Jewelry Box Manner of Michael Elkans 1970's, USA Hand-worked, found free-edge burl wood chunk with four drawers. Felt covers bottom, but likely a Michael Elkans c...
Burl
Hollywood regency shell and burl jewelry box, Italy 1970s
Located in Firenze, IT
Hollywood regency shell and burl jewelry box Italy 1970s shell, burl H 6.5 cm - 20 x 17 cm Conditions: excellent consistent with age and use.
Shell, Wood
Jewelry Box in Exotic Tigers Eye
By Maitland Smith
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Decorative jewelry box in tessellated exotic tigers eye with velvet interior.
Precious Stone
Lidded Burl Wood Trinket Box by Kreiss
By Kreiss
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice lidded burl wood trinket box by Kreiss, circa 1980s. The box has a removable lid and is in very good vintage condition; it measures 7"W ...
Burl
Jewelry Box Brass Swan Bird Red Lacquer
Located in New York, NY
A '70 modern red lacquer or high-gloss 'demi-lune' box with inlayed brass swan bird design, circa 1970s. A chic decorative box for jewelry (as demonstrated)...
Brass
Michael Elkan Burled Wood Box
By Michael Elkan
Located in Highland, IN
This lovely trinket box in Oregon bird’s-eye maple burl by Silverton, OR woodworker Michael Elkan has a beautiful, rich color and texture. Handcrafted from a single piece of wood, th...
Burl
$3,500
H 2.37 in W 6.7 in D 6.7 in
Bronze and Slag Glass Tiffany Jewelry Box, Art Deco Period, United States
By Tiffany Studios
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Bronze and slag glass Tiffany jewelry box. Art Deco period. United States circa 1900. Signed in the back "Tiffany Studios New York 821".
Bronze
$1,200Sale Price|33% Off
H 3.5 in W 7 in D 4.5 in
Huge Malachite Box 7" Gemstone Jewelry Box Hinged 4.5 lb
Located in Somis, CA
This magnificent, large 4.15 lb malachite box is a testament to exceptional craftsmanship and the inherent beauty of fine-grade gemstone malachite. The carefully selected stone displ...
Malachite
Italian Murano Faceted Glass & Brass Hinged Box / Jewelry Box
Located in North Miami, FL
This beautiful hinged Murano glass box in pristine clear faceted glass and brass trim and original decorative key and tassel. It is a wonderful desk or...
Crystal, Metal
$250
H 3.38 in W 4 in D 3.5 in
Vintage Studio Craft Solid Koa Wood "Rock Box" Trinket Box by Dean Santner
By Dean Santner
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Studio Craft biomorphic "Rock Box" stash box with hidden handleless pull-out drawer by artist, Dean Santner (ca. 1970s, San Francisco Bay Area, USA). Masterfully carved from ...
Wood
Golf Inspired Chess Set in White Bird's-Eye Maple
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
White bird’s-eye maple and green marble chess set. Hand painted Golf chessmen.
Birdseye Maple
Carved Wood Organic Mid Century Jewelry Box
By Sam Maloof, Michael Elkan
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Organic Mid Century Modern carved wood jewelry box, having a lift top, with two pull out drawers with separate compartments. The bo...
Wood
Italian Mid-Century Modern Burl Wood Decorative Box With Hinged Lid
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer this Italian burl wood box, circa 1950s, showcasing a richly dramatic swirling grain throughout. The box features a clean, architectural silhouette with ...
Hardwood, Burl
$795
H 6 in W 11 in D 9 in
Antique Tramp Art Diamond 2 Tier Hinged Carved Wood Presentation Jewelry Box e
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Tramp Art Diamond 2 Tier Hinged Carved Wood Presentation Jewelry Box. Item features stunning carving, hinged lid with interior mirror, upholstered interior, very nice antique...
Wood
Hand Carved Hinged Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A simple hinged wooden box with carving. The box would be ideal for 420, notes, recipes, or on the desk to hold paper clips, rubber bands, etc. or on the nightstand. A beautiful ...
Wood
Vintage Live Edge Trinket Jewelry Box by Michael Elkan
By Michael Elkan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Live Edge Trinket jewelry box by Michael Elkan.
Wood, Burl
Michael Elkan Studio Craft Carved Burl Wood Trinket Desk Box
By Michael Elkan
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Michael Elkan 10" studio craft carved burl wood trinket desk box. Item features hinged lid, multiple compartments, solid wood construction, beautiful wood grain, original signature, ...
Wood, Burl
Sold
H 2.5 in W 17.25 in D 7.5 in
Beautiful Jewelry Box by Michael Elkan, Artist Craftsman, Coast Redwood
By Michael Elkan
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful box with hinged top, coast redwood, during 1980s George Nakashima sold Michael Elkan pieces in his studio.
Wood
Michael Elkan Free Edge American Craftsman Movement Box
By Michael Elkan
Located in New Windsor, NY
Organic and linear American design at its best. Signed Michael Elkan on bottom. Beautiful solid maple construction. Odd shape interior cut-out for your pers...
Birdseye Maple, Maple
Studio Craft Michael Elkan Jewelry Box
By Michael Elkan
Located in San Jose, CA
American Studio Craft jewelry or stash box by woodworker Michael Elkan. This piece features a live edge organic shape and is made of olive burl wood.
Burl
Michael Elkan Hinged Jewelry Box
By Michael Elkan
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Michael Elkan Hinged Jewelry Box - signed on bottom