Maria Komnene, born in the purple, daughter of the sebastokrator Andronikos (twelfth century, second half)
Obverse
The Mother of God (the Hagiosoritissa), raising both arms towards the manus Dei (which will have been in the portion of the seal broken off) Inscription: .. Θ|Η|Α|Γ|Ι|.|ΣΟ|ΡΙΤΙ|ΣΣ: [Μ(ήτη)ρ] Θ(εο)ῦ ἡ Ἁγι[ο]σορίτισσα. Border of dots.
Obverse
The Mother of God (the Hagiosoritissa), raising both arms towards the manus Dei (which will have been in the portion of the seal broken off) Inscription: .. Θ|Η|Α|Γ|Ι|.|ΣΟ|ΡΙΤΙ|ΣΣ: [Μ(ήτη)ρ] Θ(εο)ῦ ἡ Ἁγι[ο]σορίτισσα. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of six lines, a cross above. Border of dots.
ΣΚΈΠΟΙΣΚΟ
.ΠΑΙΔΑΝ
.ΡΟΝΊΚΚΌΡΗ
..ΑΟΚΡΑΤ
..ΡΥΡΑΥΓ
.ΑΡΙ.Ν
σκέποις Κο[μ]νηνὴν παῖδ᾽ Ἀν[δ]ρονίκου, κόρη, [σε]βαστοκρατ(ο)ῦ(ς) [πο]ρφυραυγοῦ(ς) [Μ]αρί[α]ν
Accession number | BZS.1958.106.522 |
---|---|
Diameter | 31.0 mm; field: 25.0 mm |
Previous Editions | Zacos-Veglery, Byzantine Lead Seals, vol. 1, no. 2733; cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden II, no. 2025. |
Translation
σκέποις Κομνηνὴν παῖδ᾽ Ἀνδρονίκου, Κόρη, σεβαστοκρατοῦς πορφυραυγοῦς Μαρίαν.
Virgin, protect Maria Komnene, the daughter of the sebastokrator Andronikos, born in the purple.
Bibliography
- Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 2, Siegellegenden von Ny bis inklusive Sphragis (Open in Zotero)
- Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
Note the accent marks and the syncopated forms of sebastokrator and porphyraugoustos.
Wassiliou-Seibt proposes that the owner of the seal is to be identified with the daughter of Andronikos I Komnenos (1183-1185). See the remarks in the commentary to the entry in her catalogue.