Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 2.djvu/230

222 many weeks at this occupation, therefore, before he was acknowledged to be the best of all who worked thereat, whether for correctness in design, or patience in execution, and was, besides, more ingenious and more diligent than any other assistant of Lorenzo in that work. His ability and reputation thus increasing together, Antonio left Bartoluccio and Lorenzo, opening a large and handsome goldsmith’s shop for himself on the Mercato Nuovo, in that same city of Florence. Here he pursued his occupation for several years, continually preparing new designs, and making chandeliers in relief, and other fanciful works, which caused him in a short time to be justly reputed the first of his vocation. There lived at the same time another goldsmith called Maso Finiguerra, who had a great name, and deservedly, since there had never been any master in engraving or niello who had surpassed him in the number of figures which he could efficiently group together, whether in a larger or smaller space. Of this there is proof in the different patines executed by him, and which still remain in San Giovanni, in Florence, exhibiting stories from the life of Christ, which are most minutely elaborate. This master drew well and much; in our book we have many specimens from his hand, figures namely, some undraped, others clothed, with stories in water- colour. In competition with Maso Finiguerra, Antonio executed various stories, wherein he fully equalled his competitor in careful execution, while he surpassed him in beauty of design. The syndics of the guild of merchants being thus convinced of Antonio’s ability, and certain stories in silver being required for the altar of San Giovanni, for which it had ever been customary to prepare such, at different times and by various masters, they resolved among themselves to employ Antonio for the purpose. This resolution was carried into effect, and the