(The church?) of the Theotokos Eleousa (twelfth century)
Obverse
Bust of the Mother of God (partially effaced); her left hand is visible, partially lifted with palm inward. Visible at right: Θ: [Μ(ήτηρ)] Θ(εοῦ). Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of two lines. Wreath border.
ηε
λεου
σα
Ἡ Ἐλεοῦσα
Obverse
Bust of the Mother of God (partially effaced); her left hand is visible, partially lifted with palm inward. Visible at right: Θ: [Μ(ήτηρ)] Θ(εοῦ). Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of two lines. Wreath border.
ηε
λεου
σα
Ἡ Ἐλεοῦσα
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.2061 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 20.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 5 no. 75.3; Laurent, Corpus 5.2: no. 1149. |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
Ἡ Ἐλεοῦσα.
The (Theotokos) Eleousa.
Bibliography
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Volume 5: The East (continued), Constantinople and Environs, Unknown Locations, Addenda, Uncertain Readings (Open in Zotero)
- Le Corpus des sceaux de l’empire byzantin (Open in Zotero)
- La géographie ecclésiastique de l’empire byzantin, Vol. 1, Le siège de Constantinople et le patriarcat oecuménique, Pt. 3, Les églises et les monastères (Open in Zotero)
- La géographie ecclésiastique de l’empire byzantin, vol. 2, Les églises et les monastères des grands centres byzantins (Open in Zotero)
- Byzantinische Bleisiegel in Berlin II (Open in Zotero)
- Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
A church of the Theotokos Eleousa was built on the orders of John II (1118–1143) at the Pantokrator monastery. See Janin, Églises, 175; and Speck–Sode, Berlin II, no. 369. Another church and monastery of this name are also known at Constantinople (Janin, Églises, 176–177). Janin, Grands Centres, 380–381, lists a church of this name at Thessalonica and another, but of late date, at Trebizond (272). See also ODB 3: 2157.