1970s Italian Artisan Travertine Marble Stone Coffee Table Style of Gae Aulente

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1970s Italian Artisan Travertine Marble Stone Coffee Table
A wonderful original example of the ‘CALIFORNIA STYLE’ born in the late … Read more 1970s Italian Artisan Travertine Marble Stone Coffee Table
A wonderful original example of the ‘CALIFORNIA STYLE’ born in the late 1970s/early 1980s. It has similar construction to the spectacular Knoll “Jumbo” marble coffee tables designed by the master Italian architect Gae Aulente from the same time frame. (please check them out). The great Karl Springer also created a few coffee tables in a similar manner; specifically regarding the daring design; a table top that sits on 4 completely separate legs.

We are very excited about this special piece. We love travertine stone! So do the most of the top design pros everywhere…And so do you, we’ll bet. Why? It’s neutral and natural , so easy, so likable and so 70s-80s!

This piece was created in Italy by Stone International (see photo of original labels), an Italian company of artisans circa 1979. They were instrumental back then, helping some of the top designers usher in the hugely popular “California style” design/look. Also this is a perfect height coffee table (15.5”) suitable for many of the most significant (and popular) low slung 70s sofas like Togo, Mah Jong and Camaleonda that are all the rage.

Here is an original coffee table, not the cookie cutter new versions seen around that attempt to copy and imitate.

Aside from it’s obvious attributes (gorgeous natural material, simple but ingenious design and fine artisan craftsmanship), what we also really like about this substantial piece is that the travertine slab top itself was designed by the artisans to be practical, it has all the natural voids filled and then given a polished surface, which protects it from most typical spills/abuse etc. While at the same time, the 4 solid stone travertine ‘legs’ are left with the natural voids and a smooth honed finish. Therefore resulting in the best of both worlds (so to speak).

The 4 legs are solid blocks of stone (travertine marble) cut and shaped from the quarry. Said another way: each individual leg is a solid natural marble block (6”x6”x15.5”) that weigh 45 lbs each! This construction technique is far superior to today’s typical use of marble pieces ‘wrapped’ over a wood frame. The rectangular travertine marble slab top is actually a “modified rectangle” shape with angled corners that fit comfortably on top of each square-shaped leg where it solidly sits in the large flat “semi-notched” area.

This Italian masterpiece is completely rock solid and heavy, so it’s IMPORTANT to be sure to have a nice LEVEL and sturdy floor when placing it.

Overall condition is very good with very little signs of wear showing, some small edge/corner nicks and chips, and some rubs/scuffs here and there. Is it perfect? Absolutely not; but we appreciate its honest wear and small imperfections; thus reinforcing its authenticity, together with the overall nice and well-cared-for shape it’s in. It’s just how we like to find authentic and unrestored mid-century modern pieces.

Approx measurements: Length: 51.5” x Width: 31.25” x Height: 15.5”
Approx total weight: 280 lbs See less