Page:The Voyage of Italy (1686).djvu/159

Part I. precious stones set thick here and there, and of great size: the neat contexture of other polished Stones of several colours and lustre: the pictures of inlaid precious stones, which compose the Antependium of the Altar: the variety of rich Cameos which are set here and there, and cut into Pictures: in fine, the whole composure of this Altar and Tabernacle, being the height of Wit and Riches, I can neither describe enough, nor you admire sufficiently.

The Argentaria.

4. Having thus seen the Gallery and adjoyning Cabinets, I was presently led into another quarter of this Palace, where I saw the Great Dukes Argentaria, or Plate. Entering into this great square Room, I saw twelve great Cupboards, as high as the Room, set with excellent Plate in all kinds. In one of them they shewed me a whole service of beaten Gold, as Dishes, Plates, Forks, Spoons, Knives, with a world of other rich Vessels set in Gold; also little Pictures in miniature; curious little Cabinets beset with Gold and Jewels; a Turkish Scimitar, whose Handle and Scabbard of Gold, are thick set with Diamonds and precious Stones; two other Swords with their Hilts of Gold curiously wrought with Diamonds; a Dagger sutable to one of them, and of the same richness; a great Cross set thick with Diamonds, and other precious Stones, a rare cup of one great Emerauld, with a cover to it of the same; a Bason and Ewre of Gold set very thick with Turky Stones. In another Cupboard I saw great variety of Silver Plate in all kinds.