manner of the finest antiques, were prepared by Yalerio, as were also many Greek medals, with so large a number of other works in crystal, that the shops of the goldsmiths are full of the impressions taken from the productions of this master, nay, the whole world is supplied with them either in sulphur, gypsum, or other substances, presenting impressions from the heads, figures, or other compositions of Yalerio Yicentino. His rapidity and facility were such, that there never was a master in his vocation who produced more works than himself. Among other things he executed a vast number of vases in crystal for Pope Clement YIl., by whom a part thereof were sent to diiferent princes, and another portion were placed in the chureh of San Lorenzo, where they were destined to contain the relics of divers saints and were kept with many other vases, previously in the Casa Medici, and which had been presented to the same church by the magnificent Lorenzo the Elder, or by others of that most illustrious house. These by Yalerio then, were now given by Pope Clement to the church, as a memorial of himself, and their variety both in form and material was such that it would be difiicult to describe them; some were of sardonyx, agate, amethyst, and lapis-lazuli, others were of rough emerald, heliotrope, jaspers, crystals or carnelians, but all of a beauty and value that left nothing to desire.[1]
For Pope Paul III. Yalerio made a Cross and two Chandeliers, all of crystal; they were adorned with engravings in various compartments, the subjects being chiefly stories from the Passion of our Lord. He also executed so large a number of works in the precious stones for that pontiff, some large and some small, that it would lead me too far if I were to attempt recording them. Many of this master’s productions are in the possession of the Cardinal Farnese likewise; at a word, Yalerio left quite as many specimens of his ability as did the above-named Giovanni Bernardi; even in his seventy-eighth year he performed labours which are most wonderful, whether we consider the eye or the hand: he
- ↑ The greater part of the precious vases formerly presented to the Church of San Lorenzo are now in the Cabinet of Gems before-mentioned, the Grand Duke, Pietro Leopoldo, having provided other receptacles for the preservation of the sacred relics previously contained in the caskets and vases. —Ed. Flor., 1832-8.
