1977 Tuscan Alabaster Carving by Arnaldo Gianelli-Volterra, Italy

Carved out of Alabaster Volterra at Egregia di A. Giannelli S.r.l., that was founded by Volterra born sculptor Arnoldo Giannelli. This Armadillo (6.5 ounces) was carved by Giannelli himself.
MemoryLaneVintiques picked this item from the estate of Maj. Bruce A. Cole of Lewisville, Texas.

Alabaster Volterra carvings main component is calcium sulfate dihydrate, a mineral also known as gypsum. It forms in compact, ovoid blocks within a matrix of clay and chalk. While the purest alabaster is white and translucent, the presence of minor impurities creates various colors and patterns. If the calcium contains traces of iron oxides, the alabaster could have traces of amber, yellow, red, or brown hues.
The “Alabaster Volterra” is an ancient material discovered over 6 million years ago, a marble-like calcium sulphate, which is formed in the tunnels and quarries under the open sky of one of the most beautiful cities of Tuscany…Volterra. Alabaster of Volterra is the finest in Europe!
It is said that the first to become fond of this material were the Etruscans in the eighth century BC, for decorative purposes. But, it is the Greeks who perfected the process. When the Etruscans reached their own artistic maturity, they began to use it to build the necropolises and cities, thus ensuring a durable structure of their towns, bright and of great artistic value.
From that moment on, Volterra became the “Homeland” of Alabaster, by preserving the charm of the quarries of Ulignano and Gesseri (still visitable) carrying out a cultural heritage with the ancient techniques of machinations by refined taste.
One of Volterra’s 20th century Master Alabaster artists and sculptors was Tuscan native Arnaldo Giannelli.
Cav. Arnaldo Giannelli was born in Volterra in 1907. He was a keen student of sculpture at the prestigious Royal School of Art and finished as a top graduate. In 1944 he opened his own studio named Egregia and produced various pieces for the Allied Forces during WWII.
In 1953, he was appointed President of the Alabaster Craftsmen Guild, a position he held until 1961, with over 800 associates. Among his most famous works, was the bust for Dwight D Eisenhower, for which he received the American President's personal thanks. Mirko Basaldella, the other famous Italian sculptor, commissioned Giannelli to make a 3-meter-high totem for Boston University. He also made a bust of the President of Kenya, commissioned by Professor Fioravanti from Rome.
In 1970, Giannelli’s greatest professional achievement was when he was awarded the title of "Cavaliere della Repubblica". This honor is the Italian equivalent of “Knighthood”. Some of Giannelli’s art of Volterra's Alabaster is showcased in the art district museums, such as the Etruscan Guarnacci Museum, which has hundreds of ancient alabaster artifacts, including the regions funeral urns. Gianelli spent most of the 70s and 80s at Egregia carving various pieces for Volterra’s tourist community until he retired. Sadly, the Italian master sculptor Arnaldo Giannelli passed away in 2005 in his beloved Volterra, Italy.

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