Overview
This is a hand-carved and dyed alabaster decorative egg, featuring a hand-painted purple iris and traditional folk-style white detailing on the base.
1Identify
Preliminary identification
Hand-Painted Italian Alabaster Egg, c. 1970s
Photo reference
4 uploaded photos
Story
Since the time of the ancient Etruscans, the hills of Tuscany have yielded a soft, translucent stone known as alabaster that artisans have prized for its ability to mimic the glow of human skin.
Maker / Origin
While likely produced in a communal workshop rather than by a single named artist, this piece hails from the tradition of the Alabastrai of Volterra.
Condition & Value
The stone appears well-preserved with no major chips or 'bruises' (white impact marks common in soft stone). These pieces are widely collected but their value is driven by the quality of the hand-painting and the rarity of the color; vibrant red and purple tones are generally…
Research
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