Mountain Goat
anonymous
In the 16th century the mountain goat was associated with Caesar Augustus. This successful Roman ruler of classical antiquity was conceived under the constellation of Capricorn and adopted the animal as his own lucky star. Several 16th-century rulers modelled themselves on him. For instance, the Holy Roman Emperor and king of Bohemia, Rudolf II, who was deeply interested in astrology, assumed the Roman emperor’s sign of the zodiac.
c. 1575 - c. 1600
Jasper, gold, enamel, rubies, diamonds
7.8 x 11.0 x 6.9 cm
BK-17074
Image and text courtesy of Rijksmuseum, 2019
Where you'll find this
Rijksmuseum
Permanent collection