Rock crystal vase 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 William IX of Aquitaine (the Troubadour) by a Muslim ally (probably 'Abd al-Malik Imad ad-Dawla). 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
Tin-Tin Kyrano that stereotypes are common but "handled with some sensitivity – all except for Tin-Tin, a literal China doll". Kate Hunt of the University of Glasgow, author of a study of the series' presentation of tobacco smoking, observes that in marked contrast with prolific smokers such as Penelope, Tin-Tin is "incongruously" and "inconsistently" seen with a cigarette in only one episode ("The End of the Road"). She writes that the character occupies a socially-ambiguous position within her home environment, appearing variously as "adopted daughter, secretary, and occasional member of the International Rescue team". In the 2004 live-action film, "Thunderbirds", in which