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
Baltimore, or, The Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire tend their wounds and drink. Baltimore explains bitterly that his fight is not over, that it will never be over, and that he understands what he has been made into. Then Baltimore reaches into his chest and pulls out his heart, which has become a lump of tin with his wife's wedding ring set in its side. Mike Mignola came up with the concept for "Baltimore, or, The Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire" and conceived much of the plot, though Christopher Golden penned the novel based on their joint efforts. In 2010 Dark Horse Comics began a comic book