A taste of Luxor in Cairo - alabaster lamps

CAIRO – 16 June 2017: Those who enjoy atmospheric ambient light will find shopping paradise in the heart of Cairo’s Maadi and Moqattam.

Established 15 years ago in Cairo, Luxor Alabaster Art is a family run store with a history starting from the 1940s in Luxor.


Alabaster lamp with a metal decoration - Monika Sleszynska

Emad Tayee, originally from Luxor, continues the handicraft of his grandfather. However, the production done today looks very different from that done 90 years ago.

When his grandfather started working with alabaster in the 1940s it would take 15 days to make one piece by hand. Today’s manufacturing allows for the production of small pieces in a day and bigger pieces in two days. The collection of various shapes varies in size from 7 cm to 70 cm high.


Round alabaster lamp - Monika Sleszynska

Alabaster has been used in Egypt since the time of Pharaohs and today it is popular around the globe. Luxor Alabaster Art shares that Egyptian customers are only 10 percent of alabaster lovers. The alabaster products are fashionable in various countries including Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Belgium and the U.S.

The gift of alabaster

Amongst 2,000 designs you will find perfect items that are naturally beautiful gifts like candle and lamp holders, statues, plates and vases. While orange is the original color of alabaster, the special coloring is used to achieve green, blue, red and black variety. The curvy shapes and tasteful color designs provide for a unique translucent light. The combination of natural material, beautiful finish and lightening creates a warm, romantic, ambient light, making it a perfect home decor gift.


Colored alabaster lamps (Monika Sleszynska)

The alabaster is sourced from Luxor and Asyut, but some of the onyx vases come from India.

The opening times: 7 days a week, 12pm-12am.
Price ranges from LE 25 ($1.38) for small pieces to LE 4,200 ($231) for large items.
Where to find the atmospheric alabaster? Visit Luxor Alabaster stores in Maadi and Moqattam
1. Al Abageyah, Qism El-Khalifa, Moqattam
2. 23, Road 231, Maadi