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.
Mid-Century Modern American Studio Bar Stool by Michael Elkan, 1980s
By Michael Elkan
Located in Berlin, DE
This studio crafted stool by Oregon woodworker Michael Elkan captures the meeting point between nature’s irregular beauty and refined craftsmanship. The seat, carved from a single sl...
Walnut, Burl
American Studio Live Edge Stool in Walnut and Maple Burl by Michael Elkan
By Michael Elkan
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A counter-height stool executed in American black walnut and with a sculptural, free edge seat in maple burl by Oregon-based craftsman, Michael Elkan. Walnut has a warm, reddish hue ...
Maple, Walnut
Michael Elkan Studio Craft Live Edge Stool
By George Nakashima, Michael Elkan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Studio craft stool designed by mostly self taught designer, Michael Elkan, c.1970's USA. This stool features a gorgeous maple burl seat. The stool is supported by three tapered legs ...
Maple, Burl
Postmodern Memphis Style Bar Stool, 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Single bar stool in the style of Memphis Milano circa 1980s. Teal fabric cover is easily replaceable. Gray tubular steel frame.
Steel
Set of Mid-Century Modern Bar Stools
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning set of four vintage modern bar stools feature a backless seat and a chrome base with a footrest. The two-tone vinyl is sure to complement a...
Chrome
$1,995 / set
H 34.8 in W 18.6 in D 19 in
Post Modern Spaghetti Bar Stool Giandomenico Belotti Alias Fly Line 1980s
By Giandomenico Belotti
Located in Forest Grove, PA
The spaghetti barstool designed by Giandomenico Belotti, unmarked, circa 1980s. These stools have been attributed to Fly Line and Alias. An iconic Post Modern design, the seats and backs are upholstered with 'spaghetti' straps made of strong PVC, this vintage stacking stool...
Steel
$365
H 9 in W 17.5 in D 12.25 in
Mid-Century Nakashima Style Live Edge Side Table, Solid Wood, Sculptural Legs
By George Nakashima
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Side table from the Netherlands embodies the organic modernism of George Nakashima's design philosophy. Crafted from solid wood, the piece features a live edge top that preserves the...
Wood
Italian modern bar stools in wood and red metal, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern bar stools in wood and red metal, 1980s Set of three bar stools with shaped seat and backrest in red painted wood. The structu...
Metal
After Louis Sognot design bar stool 1980s France
By Louis Sognot
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice Brass bar stool .Design after Louis Sognot France Good looking stool .light Brown color upholstery
Brass
Nakashima Style, Mid-Century Modern, Studio Made Stools, 1970s
By George Nakashima
Located in Manhasset, NY
Pair Mid-Century Modern Nakashima Style Organic Wooden Two Stools / Side Tables Organic form wooden stools from the 20th Century. American studio made, solid wood. These pieces can also work as low profile side tables...
Wood
Set of 3 Postmodern 1980s Bar Stools
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These sturdy stools feature powder-coated steel frames for durability and composite wood seats for comfort. Their cool minimalist design makes these stools a stylish choice for any m...
Metal
Amy Walnut and Maple Side Table / Stool
By Brett Paulin
Located in Toronto, Ontario
This is a solid walnut and maple side table or small stool. The profile is asymmetrical and architectural while celebrating the natural wood elements. ...
Maple, Walnut
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Adjustable Bar Stools
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Pair available only. Fully adjustable in height from 30.5, 28.5, 26.5 and 24.5 seat heights. Swiveling freely bar stools are in amazing condition. Almost no wear. Made by the Admiral Chrome Corp from Detroit Michigan...
Steel, Chrome
Contemporary Stool in Carved Maple, Brass and Leather
By Vincent Pocsik
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bone Stool001 from Series 001 by Vincent Pocsik. Carved maple stool with leather cushion top and brass accents. Shown here in a bone and natural vegetan leather top. Vincent Pocsik finds the balance between old and new fabrication techniques working in conjunction to find an anatomical form that creates its own presence. Series 001 is about finding that point in each piece, personifying it, letting it find itself in the scale and figure, then stopping it at the place where it seems most stabile. All furniture pieces are made inside his shop in Los Angeles. All glass, metal and upholstery work is done with local Los Angeles craftsmen. Dimension: 16" L x 16" W x 18” H - Custom sizing available for: counter stool, bar stool and floor stool.
Brass
$2,500 / item
H 15.5 in W 17.5 in D 17.5 in
Rooted Walnut And Spalted Maple Stool With Square Upholstered Seat
By Brett Paulin
Located in Toronto, Ontario
The Rooted stool stands resolute and unyielding in its design. It harmoniously combines the rich textures of silver maple and walnut, their unique grains weaving a captivating story ...
Fabric, Maple, Walnut
Michael Elkan Studio Craft Live Edge Spindle Back Stool
By George Nakashima, Michael Elkan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Studio craft stool designed by mostly self taught designer, Michael Elkan, c.1970's USA. This stool features a gorgeous maple burl seat and spindle seatback. The stool is supported b...
Maple, Burl