Large 42-Inch Postmodern Cubist Tessellated Stone Relief Sculpture - Marquis Collection of Beverly Hills - After Juan Gris
Large 42-Inch Postmodern Cubist Tessellated Stone Relief Sculpture - Marquis Collection of Beverly Hills - After Juan Gris
Large 42-Inch Postmodern Cubist Tessellated Stone Relief Sculpture - Marquis Collection of Beverly Hills - After Juan Gris
Command your space with this monumental postmodern wall sculpture from the prestigious Marquis Collection of Beverly Hills. A masterwork of late 20th-century high-design, this high-relief work is a sophisticated homage to the Spanish Cubist master Juan Gris, masterfully reinterpreting the geometric planes of his iconic 1913 musical still life compositions. The sculpture is a tour de force of tessellated stone and marble artistry, representing the signature technique of the Marquis Collection during the 1980s and 90s. This intricate stone collage is constructed from hand-cut, inlaid veneers of ivory travertine, chocolate mactan stone, and polished black marble. These organic materials are meticulously arranged into a multi-dimensional scene featuring a guitar and violin, using sharp geometric angles and varied textures to bring the principles of Synthetic Cubism into three physical dimensions. This is an investment-grade statement piece designed to anchor a grand living area, a luxury executive office, or a high-end gallery wall.
About the Maker: Marquis Collection of Beverly Hills
During the height of the 1980s design boom, the Marquis Collection was at the forefront of the California luxury decor movement. The company specialized in the use of rare fossil stones and tessellated marble to create what designers now refer to as "sculptural furniture" and architectural wall art. Their pieces are highly collectible today for their uncompromising quality and their ability to blend raw naturalism with avant-garde modernism. Because of the labor-intensive nature of hand-inlaid stone, wall reliefs of this scale and complexity are a rare find on the secondary market. The Marquis Collection remains a benchmark for the "California Cool" aesthetic that defined the Hollywood Regency revival and high-postmodernism of the late 20th century.
Historical Significance: Synthetic Cubism Redefined
This piece serves as a direct stylistic nod to Juan Gris, a leader of the Cubist movement alongside Picasso and Braque. While Gris was known for his "flat" overlapping planes and musical themes, the Marquis Collection has brilliantly inverted this concept by giving those planes actual physical depth through a tiered stone relief. By using "tessellation"—the process of creating a surface with a mosaic of small, closely fitted parts—the artisans transitioned 2D Cubism into a 3D architectural experience. This work represents the 1980s obsession with materiality and the "Neo-Cubist" trend where designers looked back at early modernism to create bold, structured focal points for contemporary interiors.
Materiality and Craftsmanship
The visual power of this sculpture lies in its sophisticated interplay of mineral textures. The use of Travertine provides a porous, matte ivory ground that contrasts beautifully with the dense, dark veining of the black marble accents. The inclusion of Mactan stone—a rare fossilized stone often sourced from the Philippines—adds a rich, chocolate-colored grit that grounds the composition. Each geometric section is hand-carved and tiered, creating a "step" effect that generates dynamic shadows as ambient light moves across the room. The precision of the inlay work ensures that the various stone veneers appear as a single, cohesive geological tapestry.
Specifications and Dimensions
Manufacturer: Marquis Collection of Beverly Hills
Material: Ivory Travertine, Chocolate Mactan Stone, Black Marble
Style: Postmodern / Cubist / Hollywood Regency
Subject: Musical Still Life (Guitar and Violin)
Height: 42.5 inches
Width: 33.5 inches
Depth: 2 inches (High-Relief)
Backing: Professional mount with original Marquis Collection gold foil label
Condition Report
This sculpture is in excellent vintage condition and has been meticulously preserved in a climate-controlled, smoke-free estate. The stone and marble veneers remain tightly adhered with no signs of lifting, cracking, or material loss. The sharp, architectural edges of the raised geometric elements are exceptionally clean and free of chips. The natural variations in the stone grain are intentional and enhance the organic soul of the piece. The reverse retains the original gold foil Marquis Collection of Beverly Hills inspection label, verifying its authentic designer provenance.
