Vintage Live Edge Trinket Jewelry Box by Michael Elkan
About the Item
- Creator:Michael Elkan (Designer, Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 2.75 in (6.99 cm)Width: 8.5 in (21.59 cm)Depth: 6.5 in (16.51 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:1980s
- Condition:Original Vintage Condition.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU971128942772
Michael Elkan
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Mid-Century Modern Studio Craft Rosewood Jewelry BoxLocated in Los Angeles, CAMid-Century Modern studio craft rosewood jewelry box.Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
MaterialsRosewood
- Vintage Bronze Swirl Bowl by DayagiBy DayagiLocated in Los Angeles, CAVintage Bronze Swirl Bowl by DayagiCategory
Vintage 1950s Israeli Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsBronze
- Vintage Cognac Leather "Swan" Sofa by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz HansenBy Fritz Hansen, Arne JacobsenLocated in Los Angeles, CAOriginally designed for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, the Swan sofa by Danish design pioneer, Arne Jacobsen, has become iconic and synonymous with Danish Modern. Reupholstered i...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsAluminum
- Vintage Glazed Ceramic Family Mice SetLocated in Los Angeles, CAVintage Glazed Ceramic Family Mice SetCategory
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
MaterialsCeramic
- Vintage Dimitri Omersa Leather Elephant for Abercrombie and FitchBy Dimitri Omersa, Abercrombie & FitchLocated in Los Angeles, CAVintage Dimitri Omersa leather elephant for abercrombie and fitch.Category
Vintage 1960s English Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsLeather
- Vintage Curtis Jere "Raindrop" Chrome Sculpture for Artisan HouseBy Artisan House, Curtis JeréLocated in Los Angeles, CAVintage Curtis Jere "Raindrop" Chrome Sculpture for Artisan HouseCategory
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Wall-mounted Sculptures
MaterialsMetal
- Michael Elkan Live Edge Burl BoxBy Michael ElkanLocated in New York, NYStudio craft raw edge burl box with hinged lid, which conceals 2 compartments. Signed Michael Elkan.Category
20th Century American Modern Decorative Boxes
MaterialsBurl
- Michael Elkan Hinged Burl Jewelry BoxBy Michael ElkanLocated in New York, NYWonderful 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.Category
Late 20th Century American American Craftsman Boxes
MaterialsBurl
- Michael Elkan Burl Spalted Birdseye Maple Free Live Edge Craft Box 1983By Michael ElkanLocated in Forest Grove, PAAn organic modern Birdseye, burl and lightly spalted studio box by artist Michael Elkan. The hinged top opens to reveal two covered compartments for jewelry or whatnots.Category
Vintage 1980s American Organic Modern Decorative Boxes
MaterialsBirdseye Maple
- Michael Elkan Hinged boxBy Michael ElkanLocated in West Palm Beach, FLA large Burled wood box by Michael Elkan Nice size with 3 separate sections Original Artist Tag includedCategory
Vintage 1980s American Decorative Boxes
MaterialsWood
- Birdseye Maple Box by Michael ElkanBy Michael ElkanLocated in Hudson, NYThis is the grandfather of Michael Elkan boxes. Retaining it's original surface and the rarely seen or found interior boxes of which this group is intact. All made from the same bloc...Category
Vintage 1980s American American Craftsman Decorative Boxes
MaterialsWood, Birdseye Maple
- Michael Elkan Large Burl Wood Studio Crafted Jewelry Trinket Desk Storage BoxLocated in Philadelphia, PAMichael Elkan large burl wood studio crafted jewelry trinket box. Item features artist-signed to underside, beautiful wood grain, quality craftsmansh...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
MaterialsBurl