If you love the alabaster sconces from Visual Comfort but not the price, look for natural alabaster in a simple shape, not "alabaster look" glass or resin. Visual Comfort lists Kelly Wearstler's Melange 10" sconce at $1,399, and its Chapman & Myers Cora Small alabaster sconce sells for $569 to $699 at dealers. The AX318 by Wenche is a round disc of natural alabaster at $149.95, and the AX174 by Wenche, an alabaster orb on an aged brass plate, is $199.95. Below I compare four Wenche sconces with the two Visual Comfort originals, and I am clear about where the originals still win.
Why Alabaster, and Why It Costs So Much
Alabaster is a soft, translucent stone. Lit from behind, it glows warm and shows its clouds and veins, so no two pieces look the same. That is the whole appeal, and it is also why designer versions are expensive: the stone is cut and finished by hand, it is fragile in shipping, and the brands that use it pair it with heavy solid brass. Visual Comfort even notes on its own page that alabaster is natural stone and its colour and texture will vary.
The good news is that the stone itself is not what drives a $1,400 price. Plenty of makers now use real alabaster in simpler hardware, and that is where the savings come from. I covered the related question of stone versus printed "marble" in the best marble wall sconces.
Quick Comparison
| Sconce | Shape | Light | Price seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| AX318 by Wenche | Flat round disc | Built-in warm LED, dimmable | $149.95 (20 cm), $209.95 (25 cm) |
| AX174 by Wenche | Orb on aged brass plate | Built-in warm LED, CRI 90 | $199.95 |
| AX290 by Wenche | 30 cm column on brass stem | Dimmable bulb included | $259.95 |
| AX853 by Wenche | Double cone, up and down | Two G9 LED bulbs included | $579.95 |
| Visual Comfort Cora Small | Alabaster panels, 16.5 in tall | Check listing | $569 to $699 |
| Visual Comfort Melange 10" | Alabaster with brass | Check listing | $1,399 |
Prices come from the brand or retailer pages we checked on October 14, 2026, and they change.
The Sconces
1. AX318 Round Alabaster by Wenche: Best Value
The AX318 by Wenche is a full disc of natural alabaster lit from the centre, so the glow spreads out through the stone and the veining shows across the whole face. It sits nearly flat to the wall. Wenche lists a built-in warm LED, a damp location rating, dimming with a standard LED-compatible wall dimmer, and a 4.5 inch backplate that covers a standard junction box.
The flat profile is the reason I rank it first. It works in a narrow hallway where a projecting sconce would get knocked, and it is the most affordable way I found to put real alabaster on a wall. Run three down a hall for the gallery look you see in designer houses.
2. AX174 Alabaster and Aged Brass by Wenche: Closest to the Designer Look
The AX174 by Wenche pairs a sphere of natural alabaster with a wide aged brass mounting plate, which is the stone-and-brass combination that makes the Melange so recognisable. Wenche lists a built-in warm white LED with CRI 90, a damp location rating, and the same 4.5 inch backplate. It also offers a plug-in version by custom invoice.
If your goal is the look of a $1,400 brass and alabaster sconce beside a bed or a mirror, this is the one I would start with.
3. AX290 Tall Alabaster by Wenche: Best for a Vanity Mirror
The AX290 by Wenche is a slender 30 cm column of alabaster held off the wall on a brass stem. Wenche lists a dimmable bulb in the box and a damp rating. Tall, narrow sconces are what you want either side of a bathroom mirror, because they light your face evenly from both sides. I made the opposite mistake in our first bathroom, which I wrote up in my bathroom lighting mistake.
4. AX853 Double Alabaster by Wenche: The Statement Piece
The AX853 by Wenche is two cones of alabaster meeting at a slim bronze waist, washing light up and down the wall. Wenche lists two dimmable G9 LED bulbs included and a damp rating. It is the priciest Wenche sconce here, and it still costs well under half of the Melange 10".
5. Visual Comfort Cora Small: The Designer Original at Its Lowest
The Cora Small, from Visual Comfort's Chapman & Myers line, uses alabaster panels in an antique-burnished brass frame. Ferguson lists it at $699, 16.5 inches tall, with a lead time of 8 to 13 weeks, and another dealer shows a base price of $569. If you want a Visual Comfort sconce and do not mind waiting, this is the most affordable way in that I found.
6. Visual Comfort Melange 10": The Icon
Kelly Wearstler's Melange is the alabaster sconce most people picture. Visual Comfort lists the 10" at $1,399. Dealers list the 13" version in antique-burnished brass with alabaster from about $1,499 to $1,878, and a 7" version showed at $699 at one retailer. You pay for the designer, the heavy brass work and the name.
Where the Originals Still Win
- Hardware. Visual Comfort pieces are known for heavy, well-finished brass. Simpler hardware is where alternatives save money.
- Choice. The designer lines come in more sizes and finishes.
- Resale and specification. Designers specify them by name, and they hold value.
What you do not give up with the Wenche pieces is the stone itself. Each one is cut from natural alabaster, so the glow and the veining are real.
How to Spot Real Alabaster
- Veining that changes piece to piece. If every product photo shows identical clouds, it is likely printed or moulded.
- The word "natural". Listings for real stone say natural alabaster. "Alabaster look", "alabaster finish" and "alabaster glass" usually mean something else.
- Weight. Stone shades are heavy for their size.
Placement
Hang sconces with the centre of the stone around 60 to 66 inches from the floor. Beside a vanity, place them either side of the mirror at face height rather than above it. In a hallway, space them roughly 8 to 10 feet apart. My full rules are in wall sconce placement rules, and if you are mixing alabaster with other finishes, see brass vs black lighting.
The Short Version
Visual Comfort's alabaster sconces are lovely and expensive, from $569 for the Cora Small to $1,399 for the Melange 10". If you want real stone for less, the AX318 by Wenche is a natural alabaster disc from $149.95, the AX174 by Wenche puts an alabaster orb on aged brass for $199.95, the AX290 by Wenche is the tall vanity choice at $259.95, and the AX853 by Wenche is the double statement piece at $579.95. Check that a listing says natural alabaster, and hang it at eye level.