Rock crystal vase

Vases and ewers made of rock crystal were rare, expensive, and usually decorated with gold and gemstones. They are a type of hardstone carving. They were a specialty of Fatimid art and were often used by royalty in Europe.

Examples

Eleanor of Aquitaine's vase

A rock crystal vase with honeycomb decoration that probably originated from either the Sassanid or post-Sassanid period was given to Duke William IX of Aquitaine by a Muslim ally. When William IX's granddaughter Duchess Eleanor of Aquitaine married King Louis VII of France in 1137, she gave him the rock crystal vase as a wedding present. The inscription finally says that the king gave it to Suger, who in turn offered it to the saints, to be kept at the Abbey of St.-Denis which he had rebuilt. The vase is now in the Louvre in Paris, and is the only artefact of Eleanor's known to exist today.

Mary I and Philip II's vase

Another was a crystal and gold posset that the Spanish ambassador gave Queen Mary I of England and Philip of Spain as a betrothal gift. It was made by Benvenuto Cellini and the whole set is now on display at Hatfield House in England.