Alabaster is a type of plaster.
Alabaster is a type of white stone that is used to make decorative objects or sculptures. The term derives from the Latin alabaster , in turn from the Greek word alabastros, which referred to a pear-shaped container that was used to preserve perfumes.
In general, it is a type of plaster that, although compact, is not very hard . Although it is not so hard, it can be damaged quite easily, this same characteristic allows it to be molded or carved with great precision.
Uses of alabaster
One of the most frequent uses of alabaster in ancient times was the manufacture of containers where perfumes were stored, as the etymology indicates. By extension, those vessels without handles began to be called alabaster.
There are numerous artistic works that throughout history have been made using alabaster as a material. One of the most significant is a statue of the Egyptian queen Tiye , who was the wife of Pharaoh Amenhotep III and grandmother of Tutankhamun . She was found in her husband's funeral temple.
Being translucent , alabaster was also used in windows and in the lampshades or screens of lighting products. Alabaster was generally combined with other materials .
Sculptures are often made with alabaster.
Your care
It is important to mention that alabaster objects must be carefully cared for to avoid damage. As the material dissolves in water , it should not be exposed to moisture. Polluting particles in the air, on the other hand, tend to stain it.
Specialists recommend cleaning it only with soft bristle brushes. They also suggest handling the alabaster elements with gloves to avoid marking or scratching them.
Sarral Alabaster Museum
In Spain , in the Urgell area, there is the Sarral Alabaster Museum . This town, which belongs to the province of Tarragona , is where this cultural and ethnographic center is located, where alabaster is given prominence.
Those who visit have the opportunity to see in situ a long list of items that, over the years, have been made with this material, such as railings or windows. In addition, a workshop is offered in which visitors can touch the alabaster as well as learn how to shape it and develop an artistic work with it.
A story from Lugones
“The Alabaster Glass” , in this context, is the name of a story by the Argentine writer Leopoldo Lugones .
Published for the first time in 1923 , the story features an alabaster vase from Ancient Egypt , which housed a perfume for thirty centuries.