Its traces can be found from antiquity. It came back into fashion in the 12th century and then during the Renaissance.
White and translucent when pure, alabaster is often associated with various oxides, particularly iron, which gives it various colors (yellow, brown, red, orange, pink), often distributed in bands. Saint Michael has many facets.
Mentioned in the book of Daniel, in the Bible, as the first of the princes and guardians of Israel. In the New Testament he is defined as an archangel. In the apocalypse, he is the one who leads the army of angels to fight the dragon, which he manages to defeat.