rock crystal vase

A rock crystal vase is a vase made of rock crystal. Some such vases were rare expensive items, decorated with gold and jewels, used by royalty in Europe. When Eleanor of Aquitaine married Louis VII of France in 1137, she gave him a 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).

Word Browser