Maria Komnene, born in the purple, daughter of the sebastokrator Andronikos (twelfth century, second half)
Obverse
Poorly preserved image of the Mother of God (the Hagiosoritissa) standing, raising both arms towards the manus Dei (which will have been in the effaced portion of the obverse) Inscription preserved at right: Θ | ΣΟ|ΡΙΤΙ|ΣΣ: [Μ(ήτη)ρ] Θ(εο)ῦ [ἡ Ἁγιο]σορίτισσα. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of six lines, a cross above. Border of dots.
κεποισκο
̅Παιδν
.ρονΊκ̣ΚΌΡη
.ε̣οκρτ̅
.ο̣Ρφυρυγ̅
Μριν
[σ]κέποις Κομνηνὴν παῖδ᾽ Ἀν[δ]ρονίκου, κόρη, [σ]εβαστοκρατοῦ(ς) [π]ορφυραυγοῦ(ς) Μαρίαν
Obverse
Poorly preserved image of the Mother of God (the Hagiosoritissa) standing, raising both arms towards the manus Dei (which will have been in the effaced portion of the obverse) Inscription preserved at right: Θ | ΣΟ|ΡΙΤΙ|ΣΣ: [Μ(ήτη)ρ] Θ(εο)ῦ [ἡ Ἁγιο]σορίτισσα. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of six lines, a cross above. Border of dots.
κεποισκο
̅Παιδν
.ρονΊκ̣ΚΌΡη
.ε̣οκρτ̅
.ο̣Ρφυρυγ̅
Μριν
[σ]κέποις Κομνηνὴν παῖδ᾽ Ἀν[δ]ρονίκου, κόρη, [σ]εβαστοκρατοῦ(ς) [π]ορφυραυγοῦ(ς) Μαρίαν
| Accession number | BZS.1947.2.1078 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 28.0 mm |
| Condition | Struck off center. |
| Previous Editions | This seal should be added to the entry in 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.
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.