Benvenuto Cellini, an Italian sculptor, and goldsmith who lived from 1500 to 1571 is regarded as the most important Renaissance era goldsmith. Working on commissions for clients that included several popes and royalty, he created intricately carved jewels, objects, and statues. The most famous surviving item from his hand is the saliera (salt cellar), now in the Kunsthistorisches Museum – Vienna, Austria.