Abraham Gorlaeus

Gorlaeus was born in Antwerp as the son of Jacob Godevaertsz van Ghoorle and Willemken Heijmolen, but fled as a teenager with his brother David to the Dutch Republic.

He lived in Utrecht and already in 1570 held an influential position under the employment of stadtholder Adolf van Nieuwenaar.

[3] In 1609, the cabinet was purchased on behalf of Henry, Prince of Wales, an isolated early example of English interest in engraved gems.

[4] Gorlaeus' Dactyliotheca remained useful for the rest of the century; it was republished by Jakob Gronovius in 1695, as part of his Thesaurus Graecarum antiquitatum.

[5] In his cabinet of curiosities, Gorlaeus had a collection of rare shells, which was of sufficient interest to be purchased by the States-General of the Dutch Republic as a present for Marie de' Medici, for 9000 guilders.