A rock crystal vase is a vase made of rock crystal, a type of hardstone carving.
Some such vases were rare expensive items, decorated with gold and jewels, used by royalty in Europe.
A rock crystal vase that probably originated in the seventh century was given to William IX of Aquitaine (the Troubadour) by a Muslim ally. When Eleanor of Aquitaine, William IX's granddaughter, married King Louis VII of France in 1137, she gave him the rock crystal vase as a wedding present. The inscription on it says he, in turn, gave it to the Abbey of St.-Denis. It is now in the Louvre in Paris and is the only artifact of Eleanor's known to exist today.
Another was a crystal and gold posset set the Spanish Ambassador gave Mary I of England and Philip II of Spain as a betrothal gift. It was made by Benvenuto Cellini and the whole set is now on display at Hatfield House (England).
Famous quotes containing the words rock, crystal and/or vase:
“Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand:
Come and see my shining palaces built upon the sand.”
—Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892–1950)
“A crystal of breath,
your irreversible
witness.”
—Paul Celan [Paul Antschel] (1920–1970)
“Forgotten and stinking they stick in the can.
And the vase breath’s better and all, and all.
And so for the end of our life to a man,
Just over, just over and all.”
—Gwendolyn Brooks (b. 1917)