Giorgio Vasari

“ And whoever has found means to distinguish himself beyond others in the preparation of such things, not only raises himself above the anxieties of life, but is, moreover, highly commended and prized by all, as was the case in the time of our fathers with the Florentine Cecca. ”

“ Of the latter I have, by the hand of Cecca, in my Book of Drawings some specimens, which are certainly very ingenious and well contrived, displaying much varied invention. It was after the plans of the same master that those figures of Saints were made which accompanied or were carried in those processions; some dead, others suffering torments of different kinds, many appearing to be transpierced by a spear or sword, others with a dagger in the throat, or with various weapons in different parts of their persons ”

“ Wherefore, it is by no means wonderful that the men of those times who, for the sake of gain, or from other motives, practised themselves in such exercises, should do what we have related, or even much more. ”

“ And without doubt, although similar representations and festivals are now-a -days almost entirely disused, yet these spectacles were very beautiful, and they were exhibited, not only by the confraternities or brotherhoods, but also in the private houses of the nobles; who were wont to assemble in companies at certain times, cheerfully gathering together, on which occasions there were ever among them many worthy good fellows of artists, who, besides that they were fanciful and amusing, helped to arrange the various matters required for such spectacles. ”

“ I will merely mention that, in the time of Cecca, these were for the most part laid aside. Chariots, resembling the triumphal cars now in use, were adopted at this time. The first of these was that of the Mint, which was brought to great perfection, as we may even now perceive, since the comptrollers and masters of the Mint permit it to appear every year on the festival of St. John. [3] On the upper part stands one who represents San Giovanni, with angels, and many other saints, around and beneath him, all represented by living persons. ”

“ This canopy, or covering thus made, was raised about twenty braccia above the ground, and was supported by very strong ropes attached to numerous iron stancheons, which are still to be seen around the church of San Giovanni, in the façade of Santa Maria del Fiore, and in the different houses which surround that Piazza. Between one rope and another also ran cords which assisted to support the canopy; and the latter was so carefully provided, more particularly towards the extremities, with ropes, cords, linings, and safeguards of every kind, that nothing better could possibly be imagined. ”

“ Among others, four public shows, of a very splendid character, were given almost every year, one for each quarter of the city that is to say, the quarter of San Giovanni excepted, for the saint’s day of which a most solemn festival was held, as will be related in good time. ”

“ John, or any other Saint, the vestments of the figure concealing the iron in such sort that it was not seen. To the pole which supported the Mandorla, were fastened four or more iron bars, serving in the manner of branches to a tree; they were fixed around and beneath the Mandorla, and to these irons were secured little children clothed to 'represent angels, who were free to move at their pleasure on the bracket supporting their feet, which was formed with hinges in a manner suited to that end. ”

“ Different from these, again, were the phantoms, or disembodied spirits; for these, having no other than their own proper form, being nevertheless mounted on stilts five or six braccia high, moved along in such a manner that they appeared to be really phantoms. They also had a man before them with a pole to give them aid, but it is affirmed that some were able to walk perfectly well, even at that height, without supporting themselves by any assistance whatever ”