Alabaster is a fine-grained, form of gypsum, prized for its smooth texture and ability to be carved into intricate shapes. It has been used for centuries in sculpture and decorative arts. Italy, particularly the region of Tuscany, is renowned for its alabaster quarries and skilled artisans.

Volterra, a historic town in Tuscany, has been a center of alabaster production since Etruscan times. Handcrafted alabaster spheres are popular decorative objects, valued for their aesthetic appeal and the craftsmanship involved in their creation.