Travertine in 1970s Furniture: Recognising and Caring for the Stone

Travertine in 1970s Furniture: Recognising and Caring for the Stone

Travertine is one of the characteristic materials of 1970s furniture. Its beige surface, crossed by strata and dotted with cavities, has a warm mineral look, halfway between marble and raw stone. It is found on coffee-table tops, consoles and dining-table bases. It is a porous stone, and you need to know it to look after it well. Here is how to recognise a good travertine and keep it in good condition.

A porous sedimentary stone

Travertine is a limestone of sedimentary origin, formed by the deposit of calcium carbonate around water sources. This formation gives it its characteristic structure: layers, or strata, and small natural cavities left by gas and water during its formation. It is this texture, soft in colour yet rough on the surface, that makes it appealing.

This same structure explains its main feature: travertine is porous. It absorbs liquids more easily than a dense marble, which makes it prone to staining if left unprotected. All of its care follows from this.

In 1970s furniture, travertine was valued for its natural look and its palette of beiges, ivories and pale browns that suited the mood of the era. Manufacturers such as Knoll used it for tops and bases that are sought after today.

Filled or open travertine

This is the most useful distinction for a buyer. Travertine comes in two main finishes depending on the treatment of its natural cavities.

Filled travertine has its cavities filled with a resin or filler, usually colour-matched, after which the surface is ground and polished. The result is smooth, easier to maintain and more stain-resistant, since the visible pores are closed. It is the most common finish on table tops meant for daily use.

Open, or unfilled, travertine keeps its cavities visible. More raw and textured, it highlights the nature of the stone, but its hollows trap dust and liquids, which calls for more care. Recognising one finish or the other guides use: an open top has more character but needs more care, a filled top is more forgiving.

Recognising a good travertine

The quality of a travertine rests first on the stone itself: an even colour, regular and legible strata, good density. A fine top shows coherent veining, without through-cracks or friable zones. The thickness of the slab also counts, for strength as well as looks.

The finish is the other criterion. On filled travertine, the filling of the cavities should be clean and close in tone to the stone, without overflow or poorly filled hollows. The polish should be even, without matte zones caused by wear or poor grinding. On tops mounted on a base, check the stability of the assembly and the absence of cracks at the bearing points, frequent areas of weakness.

Sealing and cleaning

Because it is porous and calcareous, travertine fears two things: liquids that penetrate and acidic substances that attack it. Wine, coffee and oil can stain; lemon, vinegar and certain detergents can dull or mark the surface through chemical reaction.

Care rests on three principles. First, protect: periodic application of a water- and oil-repellent sealer suited to limestone reduces absorption and makes cleaning easier. Next, clean gently: a damp cloth with a neutral soap, never an acidic product or abrasive powder. Finally, act quickly on spills by blotting without rubbing, before they penetrate. For an established stain, specific absorbent poultices exist, but on a valuable piece it is better to consult a stone professional than to risk an unsuitable product.

Buying a vintage top

When buying, examine the stone (colour, strata, density, absence of cracks), the finish (filled or open, quality of the filling and polish), and the surface condition (stains, acid marks, dulled zones). Also check the soundness of the assembly with the base. A surface-stained travertine can sometimes be revived; a cracked or fractured slab is more problematic and should be flagged.

What we check

At LAPIERRE MARKET, every travertine piece is examined under raking light: the colour, strata, density and any cracks in the stone, the finish (filled or open) and the quality of the filling and polish, stains, acid marks and dull areas, then the joint with the base. It is cleaned without acidic products and sealed where needed. The photographs show the real texture of the stone, and the listing describes its surface condition and finish. See our Knoll selection.