Lot 114911: Michael Costello Signed Kinetic Sculpture 2007 Wood & Stone Modern Art

Condition:
In very good condition, presenting with a commanding aesthetic. The piece shows signs of age and display consistent with its vintage. The hand-carved soapstone elements exhibit a natural, matte finish with some light surface scuffs, minor scratches, and faint discolorations inherent to the medium. The ebonized wood base shows some light scratches and minor edge wear. The lustrous finish on the figured maple pendulum and the cerused green ash frame is well-preserved. The kinetic mechanism functions smoothly. The artist's signature and date are clear and legible.

Item Description
Weight: 9lbs 14.8oz

A work of profound balance and material poetry, this kinetic sculpture, dated 2007, is a superlative example of the artistic vision of Michael Costello. It is an object that does not merely occupy space but actively engages with it, inviting the viewer into a silent dialogue of gravity, tension, and potential energy. The sculpture's power lies in its masterful juxtaposition of elements: the raw, grounding weight of hand-carved stone against the lively, almost liquid shimmer of polished wood. Two gracefully attenuated arms of cerused green ash rise like monumental tusks from an ebonized plinth, their deep, dark grain creating a visual rhythm that is both organic and architectural. Suspended between them, a pendulum of impossibly vibrant Flame Maple hangs in a state of dynamic equilibrium. This central element, with its hypnotic, chatoyant grain, seems to hold a captured light, a warm and living core protected by the stoic frame. At either end of this pendulum are weights of dark, mottled soapstone, carved with an intuitive, haptic quality that speaks to the artist's hand. The upper weight, an abstract, avian form, acts as a sophisticated finial, while the lower, a smooth, dense orb, anchors the entire composition. To set it in motion is to witness a quiet, meditative dance—a slow, graceful swing that measures not time, but the very breath of the room.

Professional Analysis:
This work positions itself firmly within the tradition of American Studio Craft, blending the technical discipline of fine woodworking with the conceptual ambitions of modern sculpture. Costello demonstrates a profound understanding of his chosen materials. The selection of Flame Maple for the pendulum is a stroke of genius; its three-dimensional figuring creates a constant play of light as the piece moves, preventing it from ever appearing static. The use of a ceruse finish on the ash frame is equally deliberate, highlighting the wood's porous grain to create textural depth and a sophisticated, moss-like coloration that contrasts beautifully with the maple's golden warmth. The sculpture explores themes of duality: motion and stillness, density and lightness, the raw and the refined. It is an object of contemplation, its kinetic potential a metaphor for the unseen forces that shape our world. The incised signature on the frame, a simple geometric mark, further asserts the artist's hand and personal language.

Artist Biography:
Michael Costello is a celebrated California-based artist renowned for his kinetic sculptures that harmonize natural wood and stone. With a career spanning several decades, Costello has dedicated his practice to exploring the subtle energies and inherent beauty of his materials. He views his work not as the creation of inanimate objects, but as a process of revealing the 'spirit' or 'life force' already present within the wood and stone. His sculptures are often described as meditative and centering, drawing inspiration from natural forms, ancient artifacts, and the principles of physics. Costello's work is held in private and corporate collections and is sought after by connoisseurs of fine craft and contemporary sculpture for its unique ability to blend organic elegance with sophisticated mechanical grace.

Features & Dimensions:

• Artist: Michael Costello
• Year: 2007
• Materials: Flame Maple, Cerused Ash, Soapstone
• Style: Modern, Kinetic, Studio Craft
• Markings: Signed 'COSTELLO' and dated '2007' on lower stone element; incised artist's cypher on wood frame.
• Approximate Height: 26.80 inches
• Approximate Width: 12.90 inches
• Approximate Depth: 4.66 inches
• Total Weight: 9 lbs 14.8 oz

Dimensions (HxWxD)
26.80" x 12.90" x 4.66"

Weight
9lbs 14.8oz

Flat Shipping Rate
(Within Contiguous U.S.)
$160.00

Local Pickup
We offer local pickup of your item by appointment only. Once your payment has been processed, you will receive a follow-up email to schedule a pickup time on the specified dates listed below. Detailed directions to the pickup location will be provided once your appointment is confirmed.

Pick-Up Dates/Time:
By Appointment Tuesday 10/13/26, or Wednesday 10/14/26 ,10am to 4pm

Pick-Up Location:
The Town of Cave Creek, Spur Cross & Cave Creek Rd (exact address will be given after purchase is complete)

Item number:
114911

Ref:
DNS814
PD1
ART710