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Sardonyx cameo of a double capricorn with a portrait of the emperor Augustus

ca. 27 BCE–14 CE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 166
The cameo bears a medallion with a portrait of Augustus supported on the horns of a double-headed goat. The imagery represents the constellation Capricorn, which was adopted by the Emperor Augustus as his own lucky star sign and was used as an imperial symbol on such things as coins and legionary standards.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Sardonyx cameo of a double capricorn with a portrait of the emperor Augustus
  • Period: Early Imperial, Augustan
  • Date: ca. 27 BCE–14 CE
  • Culture: Roman
  • Medium: Sardonyx, gold
  • Dimensions: H. 1 1/8 in. (2.8 cm)
  • Classification: Gems
  • Credit Line: Gift of Milton Weil, 1929
  • Object Number: 29.175.4
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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