Many early modern board games feature elaborate cosmological programmes that reflect the early modern era’s ideas and principles of order. New scientific findings – from improved astronomical instruments and advanced empirical observation – blend with persistent origin myths, such as the formation of amber.

The oval micro-carvings depict celestial bodies as Roman deities, enthroned upon clouds. To achieve symmetry with eight representations (not all the planets of our solar system had yet been discovered), they show SATVRNUS, IVPITER, MARS, VENVS, MERCVR, LVNA, SOL, and WATER (standing in for Neptune; the planets Uranus and Neptune were discovered in 1781 and 1846). Representing nature’s macrocosm, the deities reminded players that life is subject to the influence of the planets and elements.

Water, representing Neptune, the Roman god of the sea. When the ninth planet of our solar system was discovered in 1846, it was named Neptune.

SG-0844_Neptun_Mikro — Cover illustration of a series of copperplate engravings depicting 12 Roman emperors, Adriaen Collaert (1560-1618), 1587–1589

SG-0844_Vorlage_Wasser — Cover illustration of a series of copperplate engravings depicting 12 Roman emperors, Adriaen Collaert (1560-1618), 1587–1589

Saturnus, Roman god of agriculture, namesake of the sixth planet in our solar system

Jupiter, supreme Roman father of the gods, namesake of the fifth planet in our solar system (the so-called “planet of good fortune”)

Mars, the Roman god of war, namesake of the fourth planet in our solar system

Sol, the Roman sun god

Luna, the Roman moon goddess

Mercury, the Roman god of merchants and thieves, namesake of the innermost/first planet in our solar system

Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty, namesake of the second planet in our solar system

The illustrations are based on a series of copperplate engravings of the seven planets and ages of life by Adriaen Collaert (1560–1618) after Marten de Vos (1532–1603), published in Antwerp in 1581 by Gerard de Jode (1516/17–1591). The amber turners simplified the engravings and added body parts and iconographic features as they saw fit. On closer inspection, some deities therefore exhibit rather awkward postures and inaccurate anatomies.

Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum: RP-P-1981-64 - RP-P-1981-70