Anonymous (eleventh century)
Obverse
The Mother of God enthroned, holding the medallion of Christ before her. Sigla: ̅θυ̅ : Μ(ήτη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.
Obverse
The Mother of God enthroned, holding the medallion of Christ before her. Sigla: ̅θυ̅ : Μ(ήτη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of four lines, decorations above and below. Border of dots.
ηεμη
ελπιστησ
σησσησραγ,
οσθεα
ἡ ἐμὴ ἐλπὶς ἡ τῆς σῆς σφραγῖδος θέα
Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.1209 |
---|---|
Diameter | 21.0 mm; field: 19.0 mm |
Previous Editions | Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, no. 843. |
Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
ἡ ἐμὴ ἐλπὶς ἡ τῆς σῆς σφραγῖδος θέα.
The sight of your seal (i.e. your image on the seal) is my hope.
Bibliography
- Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 1, Siegellegenden von Alpha bis inclusive My (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
The seal is metrical but consists of thirteen syllables. Loosely translated ("my hope is the sight of you on the seal"), the inscription expresses the anonymous owner's piety towards the Mother of God.