Mahsa Kiaseh

I am a jeweler and metalsmith with a workshop in the heart of Bryggen (Bergen, Norway), where every piece is designed and made by hand.

I was born in Iran in 1985 and grew up surrounded by a rich architectural heritage. As a child, I was captivated by a three-century-old house built by my ancestors in my hometown of Langarud. Its weathered walls, intricate wood carvings, colorful murals, and stained-glass windows sparked a lifelong fascination with traditional craftsmanship and the stories embedded in historic buildings.

That fascination led me to study the Rehabilitation of Historical Monuments in Hamedan, Iran, where I developed a deep appreciation for preserving cultural heritage. Over time, my interest shifted from restoring historic objects to creating new ones. I became increasingly drawn to metal as a material capable of carrying memory, history, and personal expression.

This path eventually brought me to the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program at New Mexico State University, where I spent two years studying art, refining my technical skills, and expanding my artistic practice. There, I discovered jewelry as an intimate form of sculpture, objects that are not only seen, but also worn, touched, and lived with.

Today, my work brings together influences from Iranian architectural heritage and Norwegian design. Working from my studio in Bryggen, I find inspiration in the historic wooden buildings that surround me, whose forms, textures, rooflines, and patterns often echo throughout my jewelry.

Every piece I create is handmade with care and reflects my enduring interest in architecture, craftsmanship, and the passage of time. I hope my work invites people to carry with them not only a piece of jewelry, but also a story.