Egyptian Alabaster Hand Carved Vessel Urn Vase 15.5cm Antique Style

A hand-carved Egyptian alabaster vessel of classical urn form, beautifully marbled in shades of honey, cream and amber with the characteristic translucent banding of fine Egyptian alabaster (calcite). Hand-turned and hand-finished, displaying the natural striations and crystalline structure of the stone.

Egyptian alabaster (or calcium-carbonate calcite, as distinct from the gypsum alabaster of Volterra) has been quarried from the wadis of Middle Egypt - principally Wadi el-Faraghi and Hatnub - since the time of the Pharaohs, and was used for the canopic jars and ointment vessels found in tombs from the Old Kingdom onwards. The tradition of hand-carving alabaster vessels continues today in workshops around Luxor and Cairo, where artisans use methods little changed in three thousand years.

This piece measures 15.5cm in height, with a gently flared rim, a tapering shouldered body and a recessed turned foot. The translucency of the stone is best appreciated when the vessel is placed near a window or under a light, when the internal banding glows. Condition is good - please refer to the photographs for the precise surface and any minor period wear.

A handsome decorator's piece in its own right and a particularly fine example of the genre. Suits a coastal, classical, Mediterranean or maximalist interior, or as a counterpoint piece on a console or desk.

Combine shipping discounts on multiple items; collection from Nottingham welcome.