CELLINI, Benvenuto (1500-1571) Italian goldsmith, sculptor,
coin and medal engraver.
Born Florence, Italy, 1 November 1500.
Died Florence, Italy, 14 February 1571.
His coins and medals were created in the first third of his professional life; he had entered the service of Cosimo
I de’ Medici, as sculptor, goldsmith and coin engraver. He went on to become prominent as a metalworker, and
finally as a sculptor of monumental works. His salt cellar, enriched with gold, enamel and jewels, is his most
famous metalwork. His Pegasus (1545- 54) with relief panels is considered his masterpiece. But it was his
writings, his autobiography and treaties on goldsmithing and metalworking that gave him a broader reputation,
in addition to an insight of this and 16th coin and medal technology available nowhere else.
R E P L I C A S & R E I S S U E S
1933ca Mount Olympus Music of the Gods Medallion . . .
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .J&J 19:813
coin and medal engraver.
Born Florence, Italy, 1 November 1500.
Died Florence, Italy, 14 February 1571.
His coins and medals were created in the first third of his professional life; he had entered the service of Cosimo
I de’ Medici, as sculptor, goldsmith and coin engraver. He went on to become prominent as a metalworker, and
finally as a sculptor of monumental works. His salt cellar, enriched with gold, enamel and jewels, is his most
famous metalwork. His Pegasus (1545- 54) with relief panels is considered his masterpiece. But it was his
writings, his autobiography and treaties on goldsmithing and metalworking that gave him a broader reputation,
in addition to an insight of this and 16th coin and medal technology available nowhere else.
R E P L I C A S & R E I S S U E S
1933ca Mount Olympus Music of the Gods Medallion . . .
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .J&J 19:813
1938 Radio Guide Chase & Sandborn Medallion . . . MAco 1938-035
Portrait of Cellini by Alex Shagin:
1982 Cellini (Benvenuto) Plaquette . . . CAL 31:323
B I O G R A P I C A L R E F E R E N C E S
BL {1906} A.L.A. Portrait Index, p 271.
BE {1943} Webster's Biographical Dictionary, p 272.
D16 {1959} Murray.
A14 {1970} Osborne, p 212.
AE1 {1988} Falk, 1:45.
D3a {2006} Benezit.Dictionary of Artists, p 3:650-651.
N U M I S M A T I C R E F E R E N C E S
E3 {1902-30} Forrer 1: 375-385, 7: 169-171.
N27 {1984} Jung, p 62-63.
Portrait of Cellini by Alex Shagin:
1982 Cellini (Benvenuto) Plaquette . . . CAL 31:323
B I O G R A P I C A L R E F E R E N C E S
BL {1906} A.L.A. Portrait Index, p 271.
BE {1943} Webster's Biographical Dictionary, p 272.
D16 {1959} Murray.
A14 {1970} Osborne, p 212.
AE1 {1988} Falk, 1:45.
D3a {2006} Benezit.Dictionary of Artists, p 3:650-651.
N U M I S M A T I C R E F E R E N C E S
E3 {1902-30} Forrer 1: 375-385, 7: 169-171.
N27 {1984} Jung, p 62-63.