Crystal cruet, 14th century, (1881). Etching of a small ewer made 1340-1350 in Paris, of rock crystal, with gilt-silver and enamel. Rock crystal was a material favoured for vessels because of its transparency, and the belief that it would reveal the presence of poison. From "The South Kensington Museum", a book of engraved illustrations, with descriptions, of the works of art in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London (formerly known as the South Kensington Museum). [Sampson Low, Marston, Searle and Rivington, London, 1881]