Rock crystal vase
A rock crystal vase is a vase made of rock crystal, a type of hardstone carving. Such vases were rare, expensive, and decorated with gold and jewels, used by royalty in Europe. A rock crystal vase that probably originated in the seventh century was given to Duke William IX of Aquitaine (the Troubadour) by a Muslim ally (probably Abd al-Malik Imad ad-Dawla). When Duchess 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 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.