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The life of a bombastic goldsmith from renaissance Florence perhaps doesn't sound a particularly fascinating read, but the sheer swagger and self-confidence make this a unique and magical book. Among many accomplishments and disasters, Cellini made an extraordinary salt-cellar (see the cover photograph) for his patron, King Francis 1 of France: perhaps the most famous piece of tableware in the world. His life was a parade of renaissance life, both high and low. His naughty, vain, rude but always good-humoured pen describes a merry and dangerous time to be alive.

© Ian Alexander 2004