Princely Treasures

Jean, Duc de Berry created the first princely treasure chamber at Chantilly, including precious objects in silver and gold and a world-famous collection of illuminated manuscripts. The Medici of Florence soon followed, occupying the talents of goldsmiths, intaglio carvers of crystal, silversmiths, bronze sculptors and casters. Treasuries in northern Europe incoporated scientific instruments as well as natural wonders gathered from all over the world. This volume shows the finest pieces from collections still intact and reassembles the dispersed treasuries of such rulers as the Grand Duke Ferdinand of Tyrol at Schloss Ambras at Innsbruck and the Emperor Rudolf II at Prague.