Crystal Sphere
University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
#C681
Location: China
Rock Crystal
19th Century Qing Dynasty 1644 AD - 1912 AD
An ornemental treasure of the Imperial Palace in Beijing. This was said to be the favorite possesion of Empress Dowager Cixi 1836 AD - 1908 AD the last effective Imperial ruler of China. 49 lb crystal is believed to be the second largest in the world. The stand, in the shape of a wave, was created by a Japanese artisan.