Anonymous (eleventh/twelfth century)
Obverse
Bust of the Virgin orans with a medallion of Christ before her. Sigla preserved at right: Υ̣̅ : [Μ(ήτη)ρ] Θ(εο)ῦ. Dimly discernible remains of the “Tongue of Fire” over the sigla. Border of dots.
Reverse
Bust of an uncertain saint, blessing with his right hand and possibly holding a gospel book in his left; remains of inscription flanking the saint are illegible. The figure is possibly a hierarch whose basic features resemble those of Nicholas established by the eleventh century. Border of dots.
Obverse
Bust of the Virgin orans with a medallion of Christ before her. Sigla preserved at right: Υ̣̅ : [Μ(ήτη)ρ] Θ(εο)ῦ. Dimly discernible remains of the “Tongue of Fire” over the sigla. Border of dots.
Reverse
Bust of an uncertain saint, blessing with his right hand and possibly holding a gospel book in his left; remains of inscription flanking the saint are illegible. The figure is possibly a hierarch whose basic features resemble those of Nicholas established by the eleventh century. Border of dots.
| Accession number | BZS.1947.2.1798 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 24.0 mm; field: 11.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 7, no. 10.132. |
Bibliography
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Volume 7: The Iconographic Seals (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
For a discussion of the “Tongues of Fire” accompanying Marian sphragistic images, see BZS.1955.1.1822.