I was born on All Saints’ Day, in the year 1500.  A girl was anticipated; but when my father saw with his own eyes the unexpected boy, clasping his hands together, he lifted up his eyes to Heaven, saying:  “Lord, I thank Thee from the bottom of my heart for this present, which is very dear and welcome to me.”  The standers-by asked him, joyfully, how he proposed to call the child.  He made no other answer than:  “He is Welcome.”  And this name of Welcome (Benvenuto) he resolved to give me at the font, and so I was christened accordingly.  At the age of fifteen I engaged myself with a goldsmith called Marcone; and so great was my inclination to improve that in a few months I rivalled most of the journeymen in the business.  I also practised the art of jewellery at Siena, Bologna, Lucca, and Pisa, in all of which places I executed several fine pieces of workmanship, which inspired me with an ardent desire to become more eminent in my profession.  I produced a basso-relievo in silver, carved with a group of foliages and several figures of youths, and other beautiful grotesques.  This coming under the inspection of the Goldsmiths’ Company of Florence, I acquired the reputation of the most expert young man in the trade.

About this time there came to Florence a sculptor named Torrigiano, who had just returned from England, where he had resided for several years.  Having inspected my drawings and workmanship, Torrigiano offered to take me to England; but having abused the divine Michael Angelo, whose exquisite manner I did my utmost to learn, far from having any inclination to go with him to England, I could never more bear the sight of him.

In my nineteenth year I journeyed to Rome, where I went to work under several masters, studied the antiquities of the city, earned a great deal of money, and constantly sent the best part of my gains to my father.  At the expiration of two years I returned to Florence, where I engaged a shop hard by Landi’s bank, and executed many works.  Envy began then to rankle in the heart of my former masters, which led to quarrels and trials before the magistrates.  I had to fly back to Rome, disguised as a friar, on account of a stabbing affray.  There I joined Lucagnolo a goldsmith, and was employed in making plate and jewels by the Cardinals Cibo, Cornaro, and Salviati, the Bishop of Salamanca, and Signora Porzia Chigi, and was able to open a shop entirely on my own account.  I set about learning seal engraving, desiring to rival Lautzio, the most eminent master of that art, the business of medallist, and the elegant art of enamelling, with the greatest ardour, so that the difficulties appeared delightful to me.  This was through the peculiar indulgence of the Author of Nature, who had gifted me with a genius so happy that I could with the utmost ease learn anything to which I gave my mind.