A crystal flower basket with crystal chain from Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). [Photo/Official Weibo account of the Palace Museum]

Crystal was also called "water jade", "thousand-year ice" in ancient times, as it is pure as water and clear as ice. People at that time preferred to use crystal items, such as crystal glass and curtain made of crystal beads. In the scorching summer, crystal vessels are more popular, as they keep things cooler. Let's take a look at some crystal utensils from the Palace Museum's collections.