Magnussen Tessellated Stone Pedestal with Polished & Rough-Hewn Contrast Inlay

A sculptural pedestal built on a plywood core and faced entirely in tessellated stone. The composition plays two surfaces against each other: a central spine of smooth, polished tessellated stone in pale cream and tan — including a fossil-stone panel with shell and crinoid impressions — flanked by bands of rough-split, rusticated rose-toned stone laid in irregular vertical courses. The smooth section sweeps across the top in a serpentine curve, separating cleanly from the textured stone and giving the otherwise blocky form a sense of movement.

The contrast of refined and raw stone is the design point — the eye travels from the matte, hand-chipped faces to the buffed central column and reads the difference as intentional. The underside is finished in mahogany-toned plywood with corner blocks and carries a printed quality-control label dated 9-17-91 with a section code and inspector's signature, confirming production assembly. Scaled and weighted as a side table base or display plinth.

CONDITION

Good. Natural stone imperfections and color variation throughout, consistent with the material and design. No remarkable damage; displays well. The rough-hewn faces carry the chipped, irregular surface intended by the maker rather than wear.

DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS

• Overall: 18½" H × 10" W × 10" D
• Weight: 33 lbs
• Maker: Magnussen
• Materials: Tessellated stone over plywood core; mahogany-toned plywood base with corner blocks
• Maker's quality-control label present on underside, dated 9-17-91