Day
14 - West Bank, Luxor
Ibis Factory for Alabaster
Gamal el Mataini and Mohamed Gamal - Limestone Carvers
Mahmoud Bastawy el Taraf - Hand Carved Alabaster
We went to one of the Alabaster Factories. Ibis Alabaster Factory is owned by Mohamed Yousef.
Ibis Alabaster Factory
Most tourists on organized tours visit at least one of these "factories". The bus driver gets a flat payment for delivering you to the door and your guide gets a commission from the items you buy. All of the item in Alabaster will have been made in Egypt, although most are not made by hand but with machines. Each factory will have a demonstration of the old methods of making alabaster objects which is very interesting and probably very authentic. Alabaster stone is a beautiful transparent stone, and the objects are made in replica of tomb items or as original design.
Ibis Factory for Alabaster
There is a lot of competition between the resin makers and the alabaster makers. The alabaster makers like to pretend that all the resin items are made in China and will show you how easily they damage and how the alabaster is more durable. But, if I understand it correctly, composite alabaster items can be made in a similar molding process.
Shopping in Egypt - Alabaster Factory Luxor - West Bank |
Mohamed Yousef
Click to see larger picture.
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Where: West Bank, Luxor.
Who: The Vendor is Ibis Factory for Alabaster Owned by Ahmed and Mohamed Yousef
Contact: Luxor, El Qorna, Exbat El Ward. 1228. Mobile Phone in Egypt: 0106864675
Vendor Story: The Ibis Factory of Alabaster is a three storied building with a demonstration platform outside. The second and third floors are filled with alabaster products. Very Good Export Quality. While we were there a tour bus came in and many beautiful items were purchased.
Souvenirs: I got one of my most delightful souvenirs at the Ibis Alabaster factory. It is a mobile phone stand made of alabaster composit (I think) and it is the most clever design interpretation of the God Horus in the Egyptian style. But I'll let you be the judge. |
Horus Phone Holder from Ibis Factory for Alabaster
Ahmed Yousef - Ibis Factory for Alabaster
Mohamed Yousef, the owner told me that it was his design, and when I asked if it could be made smaller to reduce the weight he gave me the technical reasons why the materials won't hold up if it is smaller. So... the good news is that this wonderful item is mass produced and should be available if you visit the Ibis Facrtory for Alabaster on the West Bank Luxor, and the bad news is that it's weight might limit your ability to buy a few more things. But I have to say, as I sit here typing this at home, it is a joy to the eye and a delight in it's design. It was worth the weight and space it took to get it home safely.
The Tomb of Roy
We took an artisan break and visited the Tomb of Roy, which is a jewel. This is not usualy shown on the group tours because they must limit the numbers of people in the tomb, and may shut is down to rest soon, but if you are in the area and have an afternoon to spare. Contact Hossam Rashwan or get a guide through your hotel concierge and arrange to get over to see the tomb of Roy. It is close to some of the mortuary temples and you could easily combine the tomb, a temple and perhaps a lovely lunch at one of the nearby "hotels".
Next we visited workshop of the stonecutters, Gamal el Mataini and Mohamed Gamal. They work in Basalt and Limestone, mostly jars.
Carved and Painted Limestone Vase
Shopping in Egypt - Limestone and Basalt Carved Vases |
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Where: West Bank Luxor
Who: The Vendor is Gamal el Mataini.
Contact: Contact through Hossam Rashwan
Vendor Story: Gamal el Mataini and son Mohamed Gamal el Matani. Specialty Limestone vases. And basalt vases. Machine made and hand decorated. Also make scarabs. and showed me a piece of limestone with a raised relief of a woman's face.
Souvenirs: Requested that a similar carved piece be made for me. Picked it up a couple of days later. |
Limestone ostrica with carved head - Reproduction
He showed me a lovely carved head done on a limestone ostrica (chip of stone). This was one of those beautiful things that is simply a lovely work of art. I asked if he could replicate it in a certain size, thinking of a specialty souvenir for tours. Anyway, his son was the carver and several days later we picked up this lovely carving.
Custom Carved Limestone Medalion
It fits in my hand, and is a beautiful example of original artistry done in the Egyptian style. All the jars are lovely, but not on my airline weight budget. But I love the limestone carved head.
After this we visited the workshop of Mahmoud Bastawy el Taraf who carves alabaster by hand.
Shopping in Egypt - Handcarved Alabaster |
Click to see larger picture.
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Where: West Bank, Luxor
Who: The Vendor is Mahmoud Bastawy at El Taraf .
Contact: Contact through Hossam Rashwan
Vendor Story: Hand Made Alabaster Mahmoud Bastawy at El Taraf made pieces for dealers and for order.
Souvenirs: Beautiful, translucent jars and lamps, Mostly made for dealers and export. |
Beautiful Hand-Carved Alabaster Vessels
As I said, alabaster is a beautiful translucent stone, but hand carved objects are object d'art only.
They cannot be used for practical purposes. They must be covered in wax to preserve their beauty and will deteriorate with use in water. If you want something really beautiful to put in a light catching window shelf. These items would be beautiful. If you want a vase for real flowers, or even a soap dish, these won't do.
The amount of work put into them makes them valuable and their beautiy is unique and reminiscent of the lovely items in the Tutankamun treasure, but be aware they are to be seen, not used, and they are delicate, so pack them carefully.
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