Peter deacon and chartophylax (eleventh/twelfth century)
Obverse
The Virgin, standing, holding the medallion of Christ before her. Sigla: ̅ΘΥ̅ : Μήτηρ Θεοῦ. Inscription below sigla: Η|ΜΑ|ΧΑΙΡΩ|ΘΕΙ|ΣΑ: Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription in six lines. Border of dots.
ΘΚ̅ΕΟ
ΗΘΕΙΤΣ
ΔΛΠΕΤΡ
ΔΙΑΚΟΝΚΑΙ
ΧΑΡΤΟΦΥ
ΛΑΚΙ
Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Πέτρῳ διακόνῳ καὶ χαρτοφύλακι
Obverse
The Virgin, standing, holding the medallion of Christ before her. Sigla: ̅ΘΥ̅ : Μήτηρ Θεοῦ. Inscription below sigla: Η|ΜΑ|ΧΑΙΡΩ|ΘΕΙ|ΣΑ: Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription in six lines. Border of dots.
ΘΚ̅ΕΟ
ΗΘΕΙΤΣ
ΔΛΠΕΤΡ
ΔΙΑΚΟΝΚΑΙ
ΧΑΡΤΟΦΥ
ΛΑΚΙ
Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Πέτρῳ διακόνῳ καὶ χαρτοφύλακι
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.1805 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 27.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | Laurent, Corpus V/1, no. 95. |
Translation
Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Πέτρῳ διακόνῳ καὶ χαρτοφύλακι.
Theotokos, help your servant Peter deacon and chartophylax.
Bibliography
- Le Corpus des sceaux de l’empire byzantin (Open in Zotero)
- The Mother of God, "Stabbed with a Knife" (Open in Zotero)
- Die Darstellung der Theotokos auf byzantinischen Bleisiegeln, besonders im 11. Jahrhundert (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
The type of the Virgin here depicted is discussed by Galavaris, "The Mother of God, 'Stabbed with a Knife'," and Seibt, "Die Darstellung der Theotokos," 45-46. Cf. Seyrig, no. 237, BZS.1955.1.4995. The model copied on these seals was likely in Hagia Sophia, as we infer from the offices of the individuals who place this image of the Virgin on their seals.