Michael Aram

Every design that carries Michael Aram's name still begins with a drawing by Michael himself. The business has grown steadily over more than three decades, yet the artist and inveterate entrepreneur remains personally behind each new piece, and that continuity gives the whole collection its recognizable voice: tactile, organic, a little unexpected, and always rooted in the work of the hand.

An Artist Drawn to Metal

Michael Aram dates the founding of his studio to 1989, when he left behind the life of a young artist in New York City and began working side by side with traditional metalsmiths. He has written that he was humbled by their skill and by the quiet dignity with which they approached their craft, and that his goal from the start was to make functional objects with decorative and artistic design.

Metal was a deliberate choice. Michael has explained that he loves the way casting can capture a spontaneous gesture forever, and that there is an energy and nobility to sculpting and casting metal that only comes from making things by hand. When the studio marked its 30th anniversary in 2019, he reintroduced two archival designs, the Cat & Mouse Cheese Board and the Dove Canisters, describing them as pivotal moments for him as an artist and for the company as a brand.

How Each Piece Comes to Life

The studio describes every object as a celebration of the hand, from Michael's original drawing to the artisans who give it form. Pieces are made one at a time, and each metal object goes through a series of grinding, buffing and polishing steps. Small variations in the finish are part of that process rather than flaws, which is why no two pieces are ever quite the same.

Materials vary by collection. Solid brass is a favorite, sometimes left bright and sometimes oxidized to a deeper tone, and many designs carry hand-etched detail. Nickel plate, stainless steel, richly grained wood, glass and enamel all appear across the line. Some collections start in clay before they ever reach metal: the Tree of Life pieces, for example, are hand-sculpted from clay first, which gives them their soft, storybook character.

Nature is Michael's greatest muse, and he often sculpts things that might otherwise be overlooked: a fallen frond, a seed pod, the twist of a branch. Many designs carry symbolism and a narrative of their own, while others are simply an exploration of the handmade process.

The Signature Collections

Butterfly Ginkgo is built on a lovely observation: the fan-shaped leaves of the ginkgo tree resemble butterfly wings. Worked in sculpted brass, sometimes alongside hand-etched cocoon-shaped vessels, the collection is a quiet meditation on metamorphosis.

Pomegranate draws on one of history's most enduring symbols of life, renewal and abundance, a motif to which Michael has a deep personal connection. The fruit's rich textures translate beautifully into bowls, boards and candleholders.

Olive Branch is one of the best known and most loved of Michael's motifs, and the studio calls it a showcase of the qualities that define his work: narrative strength, deep symbolism and sculptural expression. Its imagery of peace and victory makes it a natural choice for wedding and housewarming gifts.

Botanical Leaf takes its cue from foliage such as eucalyptus and seagrape, celebrating twisting branches as much as the leaves themselves. Palm is inspired by a windswept palm tree and the perfectly imperfect shapes of woven palm leaves and fallen fronds.

For something more contemporary, Molten reinterprets ancient craftsmanship for modern rooms, pairing industrial elements with lyrical forms. Black Orchid brings dark, refined, almost couture detailing to the orchid, while Tree of Life blends whimsy with symbolism in its hand-sculpted scenes.

Living With Michael Aram

These pieces are meant to be used. A cheese board or serving bowl from one collection sits comfortably beside a frame or candleholder from another, because the shared language of hand-finished metal and natural form ties them together. Many collectors start with a single motif that means something to them, such as the olive branch for a wedding or the pomegranate for a new home, and add to it over the years.

Care is simple and forgiving. Brass may develop a soft tarnish over time, which is a natural process; the studio recommends gentle methods, avoiding coarse abrasives and harsh chemicals, and buffing to a shine with a clean, dry cloth. Nickel-plated pieces respond well to a wipe with a soft cloth and warm water with a mild dish detergent, followed by a thorough drying. Treated this way, a Michael Aram piece keeps its character, and gains a little more of it with every gathering.

Paris Tableware sells Michael Aram online and in our family-owned store in Ridgewood, New Jersey, open since 1982. Shop Michael Aram by piece: Michael Aram menorahs for Hanukkah, Michael Aram picture frames in 4 x 6, 5 x 7 and 8 x 10 sizes, Michael Aram vases, candles and candleholders, serving bowls, cheese plates, sculptures and objects, ornaments and Michael Aram gifts.