Basil (eleventh century)
Obverse
The Mother of God orans, the medallion of Christ before her. Sigla on either side: ̅θυ̅ : Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Along the circumference, a largely illegible circular inscription beginning at twelve o'clock. Border of pellets within concentric borders of dots.
..ε̣οηθτ,...
[Θ(εοτό)κ]ε βοήθ(ει) τ[ῷ] ...
Reverse
Inscription of four lines. Border of pellets within concentric borders of dots.
Σ̣Φργ̣,
γ̣Ρμμ
ευτσι
λειου
σφραγ(ὶς) γραμμά[τ(ων)] εὐτ(ελοῦς) Βασιλείου
Obverse
The Mother of God orans, the medallion of Christ before her. Sigla on either side: ̅θυ̅ : Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Along the circumference, a largely illegible circular inscription beginning at twelve o'clock. Border of pellets within concentric borders of dots.
..ε̣οηθτ,...
[Θ(εοτό)κ]ε βοήθ(ει) τ[ῷ] ...
Reverse
Inscription of four lines. Border of pellets within concentric borders of dots.
Σ̣Φργ̣,
γ̣Ρμμ
ευτσι
λειου
σφραγ(ὶς) γραμμά[τ(ων)] εὐτ(ελοῦς) Βασιλείου
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.2252 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 26.0 mm; field: 21.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden II, no. 2384. |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
Θεοτὀκε βοήθει τῷ ... σφραγὶς γραμμάτων εὐτελοῦς Βασιλείου.
Mother of God, help ... Seal of the humble Basil's letters.
Commentary
It is likely that the adjective εὐτελής designates the owner of the seal as a monk.