Anonymous (thirteenth century, second half)
Obverse
The Virgin orans, standing on a suppedion, with an uncertain epithet. Sigla: ̣̅ – ΘΥ: Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Uncertain epithet in two columns: ΗΑ̣|Π̣Υ̣|Ρ̣̣ – . . .: Ἡ Ἀπυρω[…] or ΗΑ̣|Λ̣Υ̣|Ρ̣̣ – . . . : Ἡ Ἀλυρω[…] or ΗΛ̣|Α̣Υ̣|Ρ̣̣ – . . .: Ἡ Λαυρω[…] or ΗΛ̣|Α̣Μ̣|̣̣ – . . .: Ἡ Λαμβω[.]. Indeterminate border.
Reverse
Greek cross with arms terminating in small roundels; in the quadrants flanking the cross arms are sigla. Sigla: ΙΣ – Χ̣̣|̅ – Κ̅: Ἰ(ησοῦ)ς Χ(ριστὸ)ς ν(ι)κ(ᾷ). Indeterminate border.
Obverse
The Virgin orans, standing on a suppedion, with an uncertain epithet. Sigla: ̣̅ – ΘΥ: Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Uncertain epithet in two columns: ΗΑ̣|Π̣Υ̣|Ρ̣̣ – . . .: Ἡ Ἀπυρω[…] or ΗΑ̣|Λ̣Υ̣|Ρ̣̣ – . . . : Ἡ Ἀλυρω[…] or ΗΛ̣|Α̣Υ̣|Ρ̣̣ – . . .: Ἡ Λαυρω[…] or ΗΛ̣|Α̣Μ̣|̣̣ – . . .: Ἡ Λαμβω[.]. Indeterminate border.
Reverse
Greek cross with arms terminating in small roundels; in the quadrants flanking the cross arms are sigla. Sigla: ΙΣ – Χ̣̣|̅ – Κ̅: Ἰ(ησοῦ)ς Χ(ριστὸ)ς ν(ι)κ(ᾷ). Indeterminate border.
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.4821 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 31.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 7, no. 19.7. |
Bibliography
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Volume 7: The Iconographic Seals (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
In Kestner 2, no. 98, there is also a tessera or token with the obverse image of the Virgin orans with a medallion of the bust of Christ and on the reverse is a large patriarchal cross, with flaring arms, on steps and flanked by the identical sigla as on our specimen. The Kestner specimen is assigned to the late Byzantine period.