Anonymous (tenth century, second half)
Obverse
Half-length portrait of St George in military costume, holding a lance in his right hand and the top of a sword in its scabbard in his left; framed by octagonal design of alternating wide and narrow lobes each containing a decorative linear pattern. Inscription in two columns: Γ̣|Ε̣|.: ὁ ἅ(γιος) Γε[ώργ(ιος)]. Border of dots.
Reverse
Half-length portrait of St Theodore in military costume, holding a lance in his right hand and the top of a sword in in its scabbard his left; framed by octagonal design of alternating wide and narrow lobes each containing a decorative linear pattern. Inscription in two columns (only right half survives): Θ|Ε|Ο|Ο: [ὁ ἅ(γιος)] Θεόδο(ρος). Border of dots.
Obverse
Half-length portrait of St George in military costume, holding a lance in his right hand and the top of a sword in its scabbard in his left; framed by octagonal design of alternating wide and narrow lobes each containing a decorative linear pattern. Inscription in two columns: Γ̣|Ε̣|.: ὁ ἅ(γιος) Γε[ώργ(ιος)]. Border of dots.
Reverse
Half-length portrait of St Theodore in military costume, holding a lance in his right hand and the top of a sword in in its scabbard his left; framed by octagonal design of alternating wide and narrow lobes each containing a decorative linear pattern. Inscription in two columns (only right half survives): Θ|Ε|Ο|Ο: [ὁ ἅ(γιος)] Θεόδο(ρος). Border of dots.
| Accession number | BZS.1947.2.2001 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 28.0 mm; field: 17.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 7, no. 16.1. |
Bibliography
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Volume 7: The Iconographic Seals (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
Usually the military saints are depicted holding a shield in their left hand instead of a sword with its scabbard.
The octagonal shape of this seal with its alternating wide and narrow lobes, each containing a decorative linear pattern framing a figure, is most unusual and is unique to the DO collection.