During this time, Basilius surprised his father by choosing to live with Jacob zur Glocke, a goldsmith, rather than a lawyer.

[4] His additions to the "Amerbach Cabinet" also included the equivalent of "the entire contents of at least two goldsmiths' workshops.

"[2] Basilius took an inventory of his collection in 1586, which contained such notable items as an alleged unicorn horn[2] and fifteen paintings by Hans Holbein the Younger.

[3] From 1588–91, Basilius participated in the excavation of the Augusta Raurica, a Roman archeological site near his home in Basel.

[2] His collection has been on display at the Basel Historical Museum, originally called the Haus zur Mücke, since 1671.