Egyptian funeral boat.Handicraft masterpiece carved with white alabaster.Size: 11x4x2 inches. Poids: 105 pounds.Origin: Louxor (Egypt)
Alabaster is a name applied to the varieties of two distinct minerals: gypsum and calcite; alabaster found today would rather gypsum. If the gypsum is white, was created by calcite deposit stalagmitic; the latter is formed by deposition in successive layers sometimes mixed with other elements (such as iron oxide or sulfur) which gives him the appearance of the marble or onyx, mixed colors (white, black, pink, yellow). To reduce the translucency of alabaster and produce an opacity suggestive of marble statues are immersed in a bath and heated gradually, an operation requiring great care. If treated properly, it will look very closely at the real marble. The Egyptian alabaster has been intensively worked near Suez and Assiut, there are many ancient quarries in the hills overlooking the plain of El Amarna. The black alabaster is a rare form found only in Oklahoma (USA), Italy, and China. Its base is marble. Gender finest alabaster are largely used as ornamental stone. Several varieties are identified - veined, spotted, opacifié, agatiform. The alabaster of the Bible, often called oriental alabaster, at its dù from the Far East. This alabaster "oriental" is strongly suggested for making small perfume bottles, vases ointment, jars canopic, and other sacred objects and sépulcraux. The leaves are somewhat translucent alabaster to be used as small windows, they have been used and in medieval churches, particularly in Italy. The objects sculpted alabaster are increasingly rare for the benefit of molding powder based alabaster.
