after the death of his uncle Giuliano:[1] these are entirelj covered with figures in the inlaid work, foliage, and other decorations, executed with consummate art and at immense cost.[2] The novelty of this work having gained the master a very great name, he executed numerous examples thereof, which were sent to different princes and various places; among others to Alfonso, king of Naples, who had an escritoire, which had been executed after the design of Giuliano, uncle of Benedetto, who had served that monarch in his architectural undertakings. Benedetto himself had been to Naples for the purposes of their joint works, but a residence in that city not being to his liking, he returned to Florence, where, no long time after, he executed a pair of exceedingly rich coffers for king Matthias of Hungary,[3] who had many Florentines in his court, and was a great admirer of ail works of ingenuity. These coffers were decorated with the most difficult and beautiful workmanship, in coloured woods, inlaid, and the artist being pressingly invited by the Hungarian monarch, determined on proceeding with them to his court. Having packed up his coffers, therefore, and embarked with them in a ship, he departed to Hungary; and having arrived there, he made his obeisance to the king, by whom he was very favourably received. Benedetto immediately caused the chests to be brought, and they were unpacked in presence of that sovereign, who greatly desired to behold them; but it was then discovered, that the humidity of the sea-voyage had softened the glues to such a degree, that when the waxed cloths in which the coffers had been wrapped were opened, almost all the pieces were found sticking to it, and so fell to the ground. Whether Benedetto stood amazed and confounded at such an event, in the presence of so many nobles, let every one judge for himself; nevertheless, having put the work together as well as he could, he so contrived it that the king was tolerably satisfied therewith; but the master himself took a mortal
- ↑ See the life of that master, ante, p. 8.
- ↑ The intarsiatura here described, are still in the Sacristy, with the exception of some few pieces which are in the first room of the house of tlie wardens of the cathedral. —Masselli.
- ↑ This monarch was a known friend of artists and men of letters, many of whom found welcome and occupation in his court.
