gems, glyptic, engraved gems, agate, cameo, intaglio, shell, ancient gems, Rome, Greece, ancient jewelry, rings

30 November 1471.—Having examined carefully the claim submitted by Maestro Giuliano di Scipio, and first, he claims a large cameo with the bust of a woman, for which he asks 58 ducats, this being the amount that Batistino Veniliano was willing to pay him, while Messer Anello da Napoli offered him 54 ducats. He says that this cameo is now in the possession of the Most Reverend Cardinal of Mantua. Item, he claims a chalcedony with the head of Alexander, which he values at 80 ducats, that being the amount offered by Jacobo Branchaleone of Naples, who likewise stated that the said Cardinal of Mantua presently possesses it. Item, he claims a large cameo with a draped Faustina, which he values at 35 ducats, and which Scipio had offered to buy for that amount, though it was not sold to him. He says that this cameo had formerly been in the hands of the Monsignor of Treviso and is now in the possession of the Monsignor of Mantua, according to the testimony of Domenico di Piero. Item, he claims a rather large and beautiful cameo with the head of Tiberius; item, a cameo with a head and Greek letters; and a prasius stone engraved with a rooster and a cornucopia. For these three gems he asks 25 ducats, which is what they had cost him and which he paid to Brazio Cifone of Tivoli through the agency of a Jew of Tivoli. He says that the cameo with the head of Tiberius is held by the aforesaid Monsignor of Mantua. Item, he claims a cameo with a half-length Christ and a nicolo engraved with a reclining lion, for which he asks 15 ducats.