LEON BATISTA ALBERTI. 23
seen in the works of the ancients, that factitious gems,a fastened to
the wall, with wax, or perhaps with white stucco, become so hard, in
course of time, that they separated neither with fire nor water.
You would say that it was burnt glass; and I have seen some who,
with the white flower of lime, have fastened colours, particularly
vitrified colours, to the walls while still fresh.”
a The words in the Italian translation of Cosimo Bartoli, which I have used,
are, “ colore di gemme,” by which I think he means the coloured pastes, of
which artificial gems are made, like those described by Cennino (translation),
p. 74, and by Cicognara. See note to Cennino, p. 149.
seen in the works of the ancients, that factitious gems,a fastened to
the wall, with wax, or perhaps with white stucco, become so hard, in
course of time, that they separated neither with fire nor water.
You would say that it was burnt glass; and I have seen some who,
with the white flower of lime, have fastened colours, particularly
vitrified colours, to the walls while still fresh.”
a The words in the Italian translation of Cosimo Bartoli, which I have used,
are, “ colore di gemme,” by which I think he means the coloured pastes, of
which artificial gems are made, like those described by Cennino (translation),
p. 74, and by Cicognara. See note to Cennino, p. 149.