The treatises of Benvenuto Cellini on goldsmithing and sculpture

Chapter XVIII · HOW TO WORK IN LARGE WARE, IN GOLD AND SILVER AND SUCH LIKE.[116]

C. R. (Charles Robert) Ashbee translation

CHAPTER XVIII. HOW TO WORK IN LARGE WARE, IN GOLD AND SILVER AND SUCH LIKE.[116]

First will I speak of the methods I learnt in Rome and then of those that are used in Paris. Indeed I believe this city of Paris to be the most wonderful city in the world, and there they practise every branch of every art. I spent four years of my life there in the service of the great King Francis, who gave me opportunities of working out not only in all the arts of which I have been telling you, but also in the art of sculpture, and of that too I shall speak in its proper place.

Illustration from The treatises of Benvenuto Cellini on goldsmithing and sculpture

Diagram illustrating the process of casting silver

C. CLAMPS

P. PLATE

B. BRICK

FOOTNOTES:

Notes in this chapter

Note 1 · Cellini applies the term ‘grosserie’ to all large ware of whatever process & as distinguished from ‘minuterie.’