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:
“There is no Holy One like the LORD, no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.”
—Bible: Hebrew, 1 Samuel 2:2.
“A crystal of breath,
your irreversible
witness.”
—Paul Celan [Paul Antschel] (1920–1970)
“We must rest here, for this is where the teacher comes.
On his desk stands a vase of tears.”
—John Ashbery (b. 1927)