George imperial protospatharios epi tou Chrysotriklinou and grand kourator of the Imperial Monastery (mid tenth century)
Obverse
Half-length bust of St. George holding a spear diagonally across his chest. Inscription in two columns: γ|εο, : Ὁ ἅ(γιος) Γεό(ργιος). Beginning at 9 o'clock, a circular invocative inscription. Border of dots.
κε τσδ
Κ(ύρι)ε β(οήθει) τῷ σῷ δ(ούλῳ)
Reverse
Inscription of five lines. Circle of pellets within a double border of dots.
γεργ,
ˊˊσπθˊεπ
ιτ,χρυ,σμε
γ,κρτι
τ,,μονισ
Γεωργ(ίῳ) β(ασιλικῷ) (πρωτο)σπαθ(αρίῳ) ἐπὶ τ(οῦ) Χρυ(σοτρικλίνου) (καὶ) μεγ(άλῳ) κουρατιω τῆς β(ασιλικῆς) μονῖς
Obverse
Half-length bust of St. George holding a spear diagonally across his chest. Inscription in two columns: γ|εο, : Ὁ ἅ(γιος) Γεό(ργιος). Beginning at 9 o'clock, a circular invocative inscription. Border of dots.
κε τσδ
Κ(ύρι)ε β(οήθει) τῷ σῷ δ(ούλῳ)
Reverse
Inscription of five lines. Circle of pellets within a double border of dots.
γεργ,
ˊˊσπθˊεπ
ιτ,χρυ,σμε
γ,κρτι
τ,,μονισ
Γεωργ(ίῳ) β(ασιλικῷ) (πρωτο)σπαθ(αρίῳ) ἐπὶ τ(οῦ) Χρυ(σοτρικλίνου) (καὶ) μεγ(άλῳ) κουρατιω τῆς β(ασιλικῆς) μονῖς
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.5509 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 28.0 mm; field: 24.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DOSeals 5: no. 78.2. A parallel specimen is published in Zacos, Seals, 2: no. 813 (with misreading; photo on pl. 79 is no. 814). PmbZ, no. 22139. |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Γεωργίῳ βασιλικῷ πρωτοσπαθαρίῳ ἐπὶ τοῦ Χρυσοτρικλίνου καὶ μεγάλῳ κουρατιῳ τῆς βασιλικῆς μονῖς.
Lord, help your servant George, imperial protospatharios epi tou Chrysotriklinou and grand kourator of the Imperial Monastery.
Bibliography
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Volume 5: The East (continued), Constantinople and Environs, Unknown Locations, Addenda, Uncertain Readings (Open in Zotero)
- Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 2 (Open in Zotero)
- Le Corpus des sceaux de l’empire byzantin (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
Laurent (Corpus, 5.3: nos. 1904–5) published only two of several specimens from the Dumbarton Oaks collections attesting the existence of a monastery known as the "Imperial," an establishment that, under this name at least, is not otherwise known.
Note κουρατιω (line five, reverse): possibly κουράτορι misspelt.