of Greek medals; and he engraved so many other works in crystal, that
the shops of the goldsmiths, or rather, the whole world, may be seen to
be full of impressions taken in gesso, sulphur, or other compositions,
from the intagli in which he made scenes, figures, or heads. He had,
indeed, a skill of hand so extraordinary, that there was never anyone in
his profession who executed more works than Valerio.

He also fashioned many vases of crystal for Pope Clement, who presented
some to various Princes, and others were placed in the Church of S.
Lorenzo at Florence, together with many vases that were formerly in the
Palace of the Medici and had belonged to the elder Lorenzo, the
Magnificent, and to other members of that most illustrious family, that
they might serve to contain the relics of many Saints, which that
Pontiff presented to that church in memory of himself. It would not be
possible to find anything more varied than the curves of those vases,
some of which are of sardonyx, agate, amethyst, and lapis-lazuli, and
some of plasma, heliotrope, jasper, crystal, and cornelian, so that in
point of value or beauty nothing more could be desired. For Pope Paul
III he made a cross and two candelabra, likewise of crystal, engraved
with scenes of the Passion of Jesus Christ in various compartments; with
a vast number of stones, both great and small, of which it would take
too long to make mention. And in the collection of Cardinal Farnese may
be seen many things by the hand of Valerio, who left no fewer finished
works than did the above-named Giovanni. At the age of seventy-eight he
performed miracles, so sure were his eye and hand; and he taught his art
to a daughter of his own, who works very well. He so delighted to lay
his hands on antiquities in marble, impressions in gesso of works both
ancient and modern, and drawings and pictures by rare masters, that he
shrank from no expense; wherefore his house at Vicenza is adorned by
such an abundance of various things, that it is a marvel. It is clearly
evident that when a man bears love to art, it never leaves him until he
is in the grave; whence he gains praise and his reward during his
lifetime, and makes himself immortal after death. Valerio was well
remunerated for his labours, and received offices and many benefits from
those Princes whom he served; and thus those who survived him are able,
thanks to him, to maintain an honourable state. And in the year 1546,
when, by reas