Did Egyptians use alabaster?

Gypsum alabaster was widely used for small sculpture for indoor use in the ancient world, especially in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. Fine detail could be obtained in a material with an attractive finish without iron or steel tools.

Where did the Egyptians get alabaster?

Hatnub
Egyptian alabaster is a dense, Calcium carbonate stone that has been quarried near Hatnub, Egypt since the 1st century.

Can you put water in an alabaster vase?

Alabaster is so soft that it carves easily with hand tools, but this quality also makes the stone difficult to clean. The soft stone gets scratched or damaged easily, and thin areas are very brittle. Never use water to clean alabaster; even a damp cloth can cause damage to the delicate stone.

Has Warka Vase been broken?

Three feet high and weighing 600lb intact, this was the Sacred Vase of Warka, regarded by experts as one of the most precious of all the treasures taken during looting that shocked the world in the chaos following the fall of Baghdad. Broken in antiquity and stuck together, it was once again in pieces.

Who destroyed Uruk?

Long history of destroying antiquities The 5,000-year-old cities of Ur and Uruk were heavily damaged by the first and second Gulf Wars. Despite warnings from archaeologists, ancient artifacts were stolen (or looted) from the Baghdad Museum even while Baghdad was under American control.

Who receives offerings on the Warka Vase?

The Warka Vase as a whole depicts a religious ceremony in which offerings are being presented to Inanna, the Sumerian goddess. The lowest register of the vase depicts crops along a wavy line. These crops will be given to the goddess.

When did they start using alabaster in Egypt?

The use of alabaster in Egypt dates well back into the Pharaonic period of Egyptian history, and this is very evident when one visits the temples, tombs and museums in Egypt. New pieces of alabaster from ancient Egypt seem to turn up constantly.

Where can I find artifacts made of alabaster?

Some of the finest ancient artifacts made from alabaster can be found in the Tutankhamun collection of the Egyptian museum, where we find a variety of different items made from this material.

Why are the veins in Egyptian alabaster so special?

Also, the veins of color in the alabaster are natural, and they do not weaken the product unless one can feel a break. Often, the dealer will refer to such a crack as a vein. The true colored veins give the alabaster a very special beauty with mixed colors, but they must not be breaks.

Where can I buy hand carved alabaster in Egypt?

Notation: If you are not planning to go to Egypt, you can still purchase fine, hand carved alabaster as well as “oriental alabaster in our on-line store, the Virtual Khan el-Khalili. As a friend of mine says, when we talk about Egypt we have to talk about Alabaster.