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Sculpture Mantis Citrine Sculpture


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Sculpture Mantis Citrine Sculpture

Sculpture Mantis Citrine Sculpture is a masterfully crafted fine art installation that exemplifies the pinnacle of contemporary gemstone artistry, created by renowned German designer Tom Munsteiner. This exceptional piece, standing at 32 centimeters in height and weighing 12,500 carats, represents a sophisticated fusion of natural mineral beauty and precise artistic intervention. The sculpture, which earned recognition with an Iron A' Design Award in the Fine Arts and Art Installation Design category, draws its inspiration from the distinctive form of the praying mantis, particularly emphasizing the insect's characteristic blade-like appendages. The artwork showcases the innovative Munsteiner fantasy cut technique, featuring intricate facetting on the reverse side of the stone that creates dynamic light interactions and visual complexity. Crafted from a single, pristine natural citrine crystal, the piece demonstrates exceptional technical prowess in gemstone manipulation, requiring precise hand-carving and polishing using traditional gemstone cutting tools. The sculpture's dimensions of 100 x 80 x 320 millimeters present a significant technical challenge in terms of positioning and execution during the facetting process. The design incorporates sophisticated principles of total reflection, utilizing carefully calculated angles of incision to achieve optimal light refraction and reflection patterns. This creates an ever-changing visual experience as viewers move around the piece, with each angle revealing new optical impressions through the interplay of light with the rhythmically entangled blade-like incisions. The creation process, spanning 2013-2014, required extensive knowledge of crystalline structures and mineral properties, demonstrating the intersection of scientific understanding and artistic vision in contemporary sculptural practice.

gemstone sculpture, contemporary art installation, citrine crystal, fantasy cut technique, praying mantis inspiration, light refraction design

— Adam Dawson

CITATION : "Adam Dawson. 'Sculpture Mantis Citrine Sculpture.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/define/sculpture-mantis-citrine-sculpture?E=447412 (Accessed on October 14, 2026)"


Sculpture Mantis Citrine Sculpture Definition

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