Plaster

The plaster is carried out from the gypsum, sedimentary rock called stone with plaster that we findsin form of alabaster or of selenite crystals. The stone is generally extracted from mines or of underground careers then cooked between 120 and 400° C following the uses, it is then broken, crushed and ground to give the white powder of the plaster. Its manufacture requires several stages. Its use is very old.

Indeed, of the millenia before our era, the gypsum was used for the first constructions of the cities in the Middle-East. In Egypt, the stones of the pyramids are roughcast of plaster and it was used as coating on the walls. The plaster was then used by the Crétois, the Cypriot, Phéniciens and the Greeks. The latter used it as a mortar. The Romans, used it in the building and for the moulding. The Roman craftsmen developed also his employment like external coating. In the XV th century, sculptors and architects continued his use. In North Africa and Spain, the Moors left marvellous moulded and carved plaster masterpieces.

The plaster knows in the South of the Mediterranean a remarkable blooming, supported by the Arab conquests. Moslem civilization indeed abundantly used the gypsum and undoubtedly marked one of the tops of art plaster; in a universe where wood is rare, this one makes it possible to multiply the decoration for the mosques, madrasas and palaces. This decorative and refined art is used primarily for ceilings and high parts of the walls in continuation to the zellige. It is carved by marrying the shapes of the walls, the vaults and the columns.

Before its use, the plaster is filtered, kneaded with water until obtaining; a homogeneous paste which will be then spread out over surface to decorate. Then the design will be copied directly on the plaster to be carved in a geometrical way the drawings and designs are varied sometimes they are painted with bright and shimmering colors.

 

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