In 1497 , he and his followers went to the Piazza della Signoria , and began to burn mirrors , cosmetics , obscene pictures , pagan books , gaming tables , musical instruments , fine dresses , womenâ s hats , and the works of immoral and ancient poets . In 1497 , he and his followers carried out the Bonfire of the Vanities . They sent boys from door to door collecting items associated with moral laxity : mirrors , cosmetics , lewd pictures , pagan books , immoral sculptures ( which he wanted to be replaced by statues of the saints and modest depictions of biblical scenes ) , gaming tables , chess pieces , lutes and other musical instruments , fine dresses , womenâ s hats , and the works of immoral and ancient poets , and burnt them all in a large pile in the Piazza della Signoria of Florence .