Puzzling symbol on a medal in the British Museum collection

This is an old postcard depicting some medals in the British Museum. I'm intrigued by the iconography on the medal on the left. It supposedly depicts a "blindfolded lynx" as a "symbol of statecraft."

Why would statecraft be represented by a blindfolded lynx? What's the meaning behind this? Anybody know?

 

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state·craft (stāt′krăft′) n. The skill entailed in leading a state or country. statecraft (ˈsteɪtˌkrɑːft) n (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) the art of conducting public affairs; statesmanship state•craft (ˈsteɪtˌkræft, -ˌkrɑft) n. the art of government and diplomacy

Okay! I'll take a wild guess.

Since the lynx is known as an animal of prey, wouldn't it seem logical that the blindfold encourages listening rather than seeing?

Chris

 

Insightful! Thanks!

 

It could symbolize similar to our lady of blind justice holding the scales.

 

The blindfolded lynx was one of the "impresa" or emblems of the house of Este, a prominent Italian noble family: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Este

This particular medal was from Leonella d'Este. The lynx was considered to have sight so keen that it could see through walls. Blindfolding the lynx would have been pointless, because he still would have been able to perceive what was going on. This idea is reinforced by the motto, "quae videns, ne vide." Literally translated it is "and when she saw, not to see," but it probably meant something like "the statesman must be blind to much that he sees." (Explanation from "Medals of the Renaissance" by Sir George Francis Hill)

The lynx was also a play on Leonella's name, which mean "little lion." You can read more about him here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonello_d'Este,_Marquis_of_Ferrara

 

That's a very helpful explanation! Thanks!

 

Tell Chris
@lordmarcovan. The cat was in the laundry basket again. Easy pee z

 

You are wise Chris. Can see you gave this some thunk

 

God you members are brilliant. Up intil now. Tthought lynx were part of a chain. Looks like a house cat