Travertine Plinth Coffee Table, also known as a Chiseled Edge Travertine Table.
Table (Coffee Table/Cocktail Table). · Modern / Post-Modern (late 1970s - 1980s). Characterized by brutalist chiseled edges and minimalist geometric forms. · Unmarked, but in the style of manufacturers like Roche Bobois or Italian designers such as Mario Bellini who popularized stone block furniture.
Type
Table (Coffee Table/Cocktail Table).
Style Period
Modern / Post-Modern (late 1970s - 1980s). Characterized by brutalist chiseled edges and minimalist geometric forms.
Material
Natural Travertine stone (a form of terrestrial limestone). Composed of a solid stone slab top and a hollow-core stone plinth base.
Age Estimate
Circa 1975-1985; a classic example of late-millennium organic modernism.
Dimensions
Height: 14-16 inches; Width/Depth: Approximately 36x36 inches. This is a typical low-profile cocktail height common in late 20th-century design.
Origin
Likely Italy or Mexico, which were the primary exporters of travertine furniture for the American market during the 1980s.
Designer/Maker
Unmarked, but in the style of manufacturers like Roche Bobois or Italian designers such as Mario Bellini who popularized stone block furniture.
Value Estimate
$800 - $1,800 (Retail/Vintage Market). Value is driven by the thickness of the slab and the current high demand for 80s stone furniture.
Description
This monumental coffee table features a substantial square travertine slab with a dramatic chiseled 'broken' edge that contrasts with its smooth, honed top. The top sits atop a centralized square plinth base, creating a cantilevered effect that balances the weight of the stone with architectural lightness.
Key Features
Chiseled 'live-look' stone edges, monolithic travertine pedestal, sand-toned sedimentary banding, and a low-slung modernist profile.
Color & Finish
Natural beige/cream palette with tan and ivory banding. The top surface is honed (matte to low sheen), while the perimeter edges are left raw and chiseled.
Construction Method
Masonry/Stonecraft. The top features a machine-cut flat surface with hand-chiseled live edges; the base is constructed of stone slabs miter-joined to create a square pedestal.
Joinery & Craftsmanship
Mitered corners on the pedestal base; chiseled 'live edge' texture on the slab. The quality appears high due to the thickness of the stone and the consistency of the honing.
Wood Grain & Species
None (Stone). Travertine displays natural sedimentary layering and characteristic pits (voids) which are often filled with resin for a smooth top surface.
Surface Treatment
Honed and filled top surface; raw chiseled edges; polished or matte pedestal sides.
Upholstery Details
None.
Hardware & Fittings
N/A. Typically relies on gravity and stone adhesive or hidden internal support brackets for stability.
Origin & Provenance
Likely Italy or Mexico, which were the primary exporters of travertine furniture for the American market during the 1980s.
Condition Notes
Good. The chiseled edges naturally hide chips, but the top surface shows minor staining/patina consistent with age. Structural integrity is excellent.
Interesting Facts
Travertine has been used in construction since Ancient Rome (the Colosseum is largely travertine), but it became a 'must-have' material for interior furniture in the 1980s due to its neutral palette and luxurious weight.
Cultural Significance
Represents the shift from the plastics of the 60s/70s toward 'natural luxury' materials and the Post-Modern movement's interest in geological textures.
Similar Pieces
Often confused with Marble or Limestone tables. Travertine is distinguished by its unique small holes (voids) and linear sedimentary layers not found in marble.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with pH-neutral stone cleaner. Avoid acidic liquids (lemon, vinegar) which will etch the stone. Re-seal with a stone impregnator every 1-2 years.
Value Estimate
$800 - $1,800 (Retail/Vintage Market). Value is driven by the thickness of the slab and the current high demand for 80s stone furniture.
Sustainability Notes
Highly sustainable as a natural material with extreme longevity; however, stone quarrying is energy-intensive. This vintage piece is an eco-friendly choice as it avoids new manufacturing.