Understanding what “After,” “Circle of,” and “School of” really mean in Fine Art
When buying, selling, or researching artworks, you’ll often encounter attribution terms like...
Read more
At Fine Art Restoration Company we have come across many examples of alabaster damage, all of which have been professionally restored by our experienced team.
The challenges faced by alabaster artworks include scratch marks, rubbing away of details, accidental staining, cracking, acidic stains due to household glue repairs, chips and breakages.
These can all be restored with specialist treatments by our qualified conservators, ensuring a museum level of repair and appropriate use of adhesives.
Where original pieces cannot be used or have been lost, our conservation team can also recreate these areas with careful skills and colour-matching techniques.
Alabaster is formed of either gypsum or banded calcite, these are bright, translucent and soft minerals that are easy to sculpt.
You may come across different names for this material such as Egyptian alabaster, travertine, fengite, oriental alabaster, anhydrite or onyx marble.
You can usually tell the difference between these two by their ability to be scratched, as gypsum is so soft that it can be easily marked, whilst calcite pieces are more hard-wearing, which is why this type is often found in ancient artefacts.
As well as ornaments, busts, and sculptures, alabaster can also be found in historic windows and roof panels.


When buying, selling, or researching artworks, you’ll often encounter attribution terms like...
Read more
Ironstone ceramics are a cornerstone of 19th century pottery, valued for durability,...
Read more
It began with an enquiry about a small but remarkable skeleton sculpture....
Read more