rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryalabasterCarving stone
noun / adjective

alabaster

AL-uh-bas-ter/ˈæləbæstər/

A pale, smooth, fine-grained stone used for carving.

The partially carved vase reveals the smooth, pale surface of alabaster.

A pale alabaster block partially carved into a small ornamental vase, showing the fine-grained raw stone, smooth carved surface, and subtly translucent thin rim together.
Etymology
alabasterAncient Greekperfume vase

Greek alabastros meant a perfume vase; the name came to denote the rock used to make such containers. English retains the material sense, now familiar in ornamental carving.

In context

Quiet Mysteries119:47
The vase is carved from alabaster, a soft yet extremely brittle stone notoriously difficult to work with when producing detailed imagery.
3 Hours of Bizarre, Unexplained Archaeological Mysteries That Simply Too Advanced

More examples

  • Light glowed softly through the thin alabaster shade.
  • The portrait gives her skin an alabaster smoothness.
  • A row of alabaster figures filled the display case.

Similar words

marble
Is a different carving stone, generally harder than common alabaster.
ivory
Describes tusk material or its creamy color rather than stone.