John Komnenos, sebastos (twelfth century)
Obverse
The Mother of God standing, holding the medallion of Christ before her. Sigla to either side: ̅-ΘΥ̅ : Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of seven lines. Border of dots.
φρου
ρεισεασ
τονκομ
νονι̅φ...
γονσεθ̣ε̣...
τνγραφν̣
.τκ..
φροῦρει σεβαστὸν Κομνηνὸν Ἰω(άννην) φ...γον σε θε... τῶν γραφῶν τοῦ κ...
Obverse
The Mother of God standing, holding the medallion of Christ before her. Sigla to either side: ̅-ΘΥ̅ : Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of seven lines. Border of dots.
φρου
ρεισεασ
τονκομ
νονι̅φ...
γονσεθ̣ε̣...
τνγραφν̣
.τκ..
φροῦρει σεβαστὸν Κομνηνὸν Ἰω(άννην) φ...γον σε θε... τῶν γραφῶν τοῦ κ...
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.1153 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 26.0 mm; field: 22.0 mm |
| Condition | Large chip out of the left side of the seal; scoring on the reverse. |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
φροῦρει σεβαστὸν Κομνηνὸν Ἰωάννην φ...γὸν σε θε... τῶν γραφῶν τοῦ κ...
Guard John Komnenos, sebastos, ... of the writings of the ....
Commentary
This is a metrical inscription consisting of two twelve-syllable verses; only the first dodecasyllable is fully legible. Other seals of a John Komnenos, sebastos, dating from the twelfth century and very likely the same man as the owner of this seal are listed in PBW : Ioannes 20621; 20696; 20697.