Michael archbishop of Bulgaria (twelfth century)
Obverse
The Annunciation. Gabriel, holding a scepter, advances toward the Virgin; her gestures are not clearly visible; she seems to hold a spindle (cf. DO Seals 1, no. 29.7 = BZS 1951.31.5.2400). Vertical inscription in center: .Χ..ΡΕ|Τ.ΣΜ|Ο: Ὁ Χαιρετισμός. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of five lines, decoration below. Border of dots.
ΤΌΝ
ΟΥΛΓΑ
ΡΊΑΣΜΙΧΑ
ΉΛΑΓΝΉ
ΣΚΈΠΟΙΣ
·
τὸν Βουλγαρίας Μιχαήλ, Ἁγνή, σκέποις
Obverse
The Annunciation. Gabriel, holding a scepter, advances toward the Virgin; her gestures are not clearly visible; she seems to hold a spindle (cf. DO Seals 1, no. 29.7 = BZS 1951.31.5.2400). Vertical inscription in center: .Χ..ΡΕ|Τ.ΣΜ|Ο: Ὁ Χαιρετισμός. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of five lines, decoration below. Border of dots.
ΤΌΝ
ΟΥΛΓΑ
ΡΊΑΣΜΙΧΑ
ΉΛΑΓΝΉ
ΣΚΈΠΟΙΣ
·
τὸν Βουλγαρίας Μιχαήλ, Ἁγνή, σκέποις
| Accession number | BZS.1955.1.5038 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 30.0 mm; field: 25.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 1, no. 29.8. |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
Τὸν Βουλγαρίας Μιχαήλ, Ἁγνή, σκέποις.
Pure One, may you protect the (archbishop) of Bulgaria.
Bibliography
- Catalogue of the Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and at the Fogg Museum of Art, Vol. 1: Italy, North of the Balkans, North of the Black Sea (Open in Zotero)
- Sigillographie de l’Empire byzantin (Open in Zotero)
- Le Corpus des sceaux de l’empire byzantin (Open in Zotero)
- Der Patriarchat von Achrida; Geschichte und Urkunden (Open in Zotero)
- Les duchés byzantins de Paristrion (Paradounavon) et de Bulgarie (Open in Zotero)
- Bolgarija i Vizantija v XI-XII vv. (Open in Zotero)
- L’évolution de l’organisation administrative de l’empire byzantin au XIe siècle (1025–1118) (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
Acute accents only. The reverse legend forms a twelve-syllable verse. Laurent is undoubtedly correct that the seal should be attributed to Michael Maximos, who succeeded archbishop Leo in 1139 and was succeeded by John Komnenos before 1143. Before his elevation to the seat of Ohrid, he was a patriarchal ostiarios and deacon of St. Sophia (see Gelzer, Achrida, 7).