In ancient Egypt, alabaster was carved into vessels and lamps, valued for its luminous qualities and its role in ritual and daily life. From the Naqada period through later dynasties, alabaster jars and ointment vessels were placed in tombs as carefully crafted objects, prized for both their material beauty and symbolism.
Alabaster ointment jar inscribed for Queen Hatshepsut (Dynasty 18) - Used for oils, found in the tomb of Thutmose III’s foreign wives
Alabaster triple lamp from the tomb of Tutankhamun (ca. 1323 BCE) - A lotus-shaped lantern carved from alabaster stone
Beyond utility, the stone was also valued for the way it carried light. Simple alabaster lamps, formed as shallow bowls with oil and wick, produced a soft, diffuse glow through the translucent stone, revealing its depth and veining.
That tradition continues today in and around Luxor, where craftspeople still carve alabaster using chisels, hand drills, and lathes, preserving techniques passed down through generations. At Material Lights, these traditional methods are respected, while the material is paired with contemporary bases, allowing alabaster’s historic character to remain visible within a present-day context.
