Italian Travertine Vase by P. A. Giusti and Egidio di Rosa for Up&Up, 1970s

A sculptural travertine vase designed in the 1970s by Pier Alessandro Giusti and Egidio Di Rosa for Up&Up, the Italian workshop renowned for its sophisticated stone objects and its pioneering approach to contemporary material design.

Carved from a single block of natural travertine, the piece displays a striking, almost lunar surface—rich with organic cavities, mineral veins, and the tactile irregularities characteristic of this stone. The two circular incised motifs, perfectly centered on each face, introduce a subtle graphic language: concentric ripples that evoke geological time, echoing the material’s ancient origin.

The silhouette is both essential and architectural: a flattened disk with a refined oval opening, sharp and deliberate, giving the object a distinctly sculptural presence. Its monolithic purity allows it to function beautifully as a single-stem vase, yet it is equally compelling as a standalone decorative sculpture.

A rare and poetic example of Giusti & Di Rosa’s work for Up&Up, showcasing their ability to combine rigorous minimalism with the inherent drama of natural stone. A quietly powerful object, timeless and deeply contemporary.