Michael VII Doukas (1071–1078)
Obverse
Christ seated on a square-backed throne.The upper part of the throne is decorated at left and right with seven pellets. He is shown wearing a tunic and himation and blessing with the right hand and holding a book in the left hand. He has a nimbus cruciger; each arm is decorated with one pellet. Sigla at left and right: ΙΣ̅ΧΣ̅ : Ἰ(ησοῦ)ς Χ(ριστό)ς. Border of dots.
Reverse
Michael VII standing on a round dais and wearing a crown surmounted by a cross and a loros, an end of which is draped over the left wrist. He holds a labarum in the right hand and a globus cruciger in the left. Circular inscription. Border of dots.
ΜΙΧΑΗΛΑΥΤ,ΚΡ,Τ,ΡΜ,ΟΔΚ,
Μιχαὴλ αὐτ(ο)κρ(ά)τ(ωρ) Ῥωμ(αίων) ὁ Δούκ(ας)
Obverse
Christ seated on a square-backed throne.The upper part of the throne is decorated at left and right with seven pellets. He is shown wearing a tunic and himation and blessing with the right hand and holding a book in the left hand. He has a nimbus cruciger; each arm is decorated with one pellet. Sigla at left and right: ΙΣ̅ΧΣ̅ : Ἰ(ησοῦ)ς Χ(ριστό)ς. Border of dots.
Reverse
Michael VII standing on a round dais and wearing a crown surmounted by a cross and a loros, an end of which is draped over the left wrist. He holds a labarum in the right hand and a globus cruciger in the left. Circular inscription. Border of dots.
ΜΙΧΑΗΛΑΥΤ,ΚΡ,Τ,ΡΜ,ΟΔΚ,
Μιχαὴλ αὐτ(ο)κρ(ά)τ(ωρ) Ῥωμ(αίων) ὁ Δούκ(ας)
| Accession number | BZS.1955.1.4334 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 30.0 mm; field: 25.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 6, no. 84.8; Zacos–Veglery, no. 95a. For a close design, see Seibt, Bleisiegel, no. 25. |
Translation
Μιχαὴλ αὐτοκράτωρ Ῥωμαίων ὁ Δούκας.
Michael Doukas, emperor of the Romans.
Bibliography
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Vol. 6, Emperors, Patriarchs of Constantinople, Addenda (Open in Zotero)
- Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)
- Die byzantinischen Bleisiegel in Österreich, Vol. 1, Kaiserhof (Open in Zotero)
Similar Seals
- Michael VII Doukas (1071–1078)
- Michael VII Doukas (1071–1078)
- Michael VII Doukas (1071–1078)
- Michael VII Doukas (1071–1078)
- Michael VII Doukas (1071–1078)
- Michael VII Doukas (1071–1078)
- Michael VII Doukas (1071–1078)
- Michael VII Doukas (1071–1078)
- Michael VII Doukas (1071–1078)
- Michael VII Doukas (1071–1078)
Commentary
The Vienna example is not a parallel with this DO specimen. On that seal the back panel of Christ’s throne is ornamented at left and right with six pellets, whereas our specimen has seven pellets.
The ends of the cross atop Michael's globus are elongated; see also BZS.1951.31.5.1675.