Sheikhen was founded on a simple idea: to give new life to forgotten heritage.

In 2019, while studying Norwegian literature as part of my teacher education, I came across stories that would quietly shape the foundation of Sheikhen. Through books on Norwegian culture, I discovered the history of Norwegian silver cutlery and heirloom silver, objects that had followed generations through time.

One story stayed with me. Silver spoons, once used at royal tables, were taken home, cut, and reshaped into rings. A tradition that dates back to the 18th century.

That moment changed everything.

I am Abdel-Rahman Sheikh Bozan, founder of Sheikhen. I live in Norway and work as a lecturer, but craftsmanship has always been a part of my life.

My father was a craftsman and carpenter. My grandmother was an artist, hand-knotting Persian rugs in the 1950s. Creating with your hands, shaping something with purpose, has always been part of my foundation.

But it was in Norway that I discovered silver.

I was not born with a silver spoon.

When I came to Norway in 2015, I had left behind a life that was no longer possible. The war in Syria changed everything. Starting over meant building something new. It was here I discovered Norwegian silver, its history, its meaning, its quiet presence in everyday homes.

Where some see objects to be stored, I saw something that could still live.

I began experimenting.

I bought old silver cutlery, not fully understanding the material. I tried, failed, and tried again. Slowly, I learned. Through books, research, and countless hours of practice, I began to understand both the craft and the responsibility that comes with it.

To me, it is never just silver.

It is someone’s story.

Many of the pieces I work with date back to the early 1900s. They carry engravings, marks, and traces of lives lived before us. Some are inherited. Some have been forgotten for decades.

When someone hands me a piece, it is often the only thing they have left.

That responsibility defines everything I do.

I do not erase the past. I work with it.

I preserve what matters and reshape what can live on.

I do not melt the story. I continue it.

Sheikhen emerged naturally from this journey, rooted in my name and in the belief that heritage should not remain hidden.

Each piece is handcrafted from authentic Norwegian silver, often heirlooms, transformed into something modern while still carrying its origin.

This is not about mass production.
It is about identity, craftsmanship, and continuity.

Today, Sheikhen has reached far beyond Norway, but the purpose remains the same:

To create jewelry with meaning.
To preserve culture in a new form.
To give history a future.

Throughout history, spoons have held a significant role in various ceremonies, both religious and secular, dating back to ancient civilizations like Egypt and medieval England. These ceremonial spoons were even present in momentous events such as royal coronations. The custom of presenting spoons as baptismal gifts has an extensive history, with its origins rooted in the United Kingdom. This tradition gave rise to the well-known phrase "born with a silver spoon in your mouth."

Across the ages, spoons have also served as tokens of affection. One fascinating example is the Welsh custom of the love spoon – an intricately carved and adorned wooden spoon symbolizing love. The concept of transforming spoon handles into rings emerged in 17th century England. During this period, the design of flatware was not only made from genuine silver but often showcased elaborate embellishments, including family crests, making them cherished heirlooms.

Legend attributes the origin of spoon rings to the working class of bygone eras. As the story goes, servants would clandestinely take a piece of silverware from their employer's collection and repurpose it into a ring, serving as a token of their affection and commitment to their loved ones.

The charm of spoon rings experienced a revival during the late 1960s and 1970s, embraced by the hippie culture of Haight-Ashbury and the spirited counterculture of that era, which advocated for peace and love.

In 2019, Sheikhen made a remarkable comeback, reigniting the art of crafting spoon rings and jewellery. However, this time, we added a dash of spice to the tradition, infusing it with contemporary creativity and innovation.