Alabaster Art – Slabs Tiles Mosaic & Bricks

Alabaster slabs are part of De Ferranti’s wider Alabaster Art collection, comprising slabs, tiles, mosaic and bricks. Prized by the Ancients, Alabaster is carefully sourced, cut, shaped, turned by De Ferranti's master craftsmen.

In Egypt, both cultures, the Fayum and Tasa, used ground alabaster as a base for make-up. Later generations of egyptians used alabaster for ornamental purposes such as vases and bottles. The Assyrians however, were big supporters of alabaster and used it extensively for architectural elements, of note, walls and doors, columns, frames, architraves, to name but a few. The Phoenicians were famous for their skill in the preparation of perfumes, using alabaster vessels as packaging.

The Etruscan sculptors (8th Century B.C.) also learned the art of working with alabaster for carving urns, reliefs, sphinxes and sarcophagus with figures. Alabaster then went out of fashion, and began to have a positive revival in England in the 14th Century and even more so in Italy during the 16th Century.

Jean-Michel Frank famously used alabaster for quiet luxury, soft light and timeless restraint. Our De Ferranti alabaster collection follows that spirit: luminous, mineral, calm and architectural.

The beauty of this mineral is due to its soapy texture, its silky feel and most importantly, its translucent property.

 

Alabaster Slabs for Luminous Interior Surfaces

Alabaster slabs offer a rare kind of surface presence: soft, mineral, tactile and responsive to light. Their creamy tones, clouded veining and quiet translucency make them especially useful where a project needs atmosphere rather than hard contrast. Used as panels, inserts, tiles or cut elements, alabaster can bring a gentle luminosity to reception areas, bars, private bathrooms, wall features, furniture pieces and decorative interiors where the material itself becomes the point of focus.

 

Alabaster Slabs & Tiles: Formats, Mosaics and Project Use

Within this category, De Ferranti can approach alabaster as a sculptural and decorative material, not only as a conventional stone surface. The current collection includes Alabaster Brick, while the wider design language can extend into slab work, tile layouts, mosaic compositions and bespoke cut formats, subject to material suitability and project specification. Where lighting is part of the design intent, alabaster slabs should be assessed carefully for thickness, fixing method, backing, framing and the required visual effect.

 

Related De Ferranti Surface Materials

For related mineral surfaces, explore De Ferranti’s Marble & Onyx Collection, where natural veining, translucency and stone character can be considered in a broader project context.

For jewelled hardstone work, the Semi-Precious Tile & Slab collection offers another route into luminous, rare and highly decorative surfaces. These links are useful when comparing alabaster with other materials for walls, panels, furniture, decorative features and specialist interior commissions.

 

Project Guidance and Enquiries

For project guidance, availability, pricing, samples or further information, please contact us. Your enquiry will come directly to De Ferranti, and we will be pleased to discuss suitability, quantities, lead times and options for your project.