David Komnenos (thirteenth century, first half)
Obverse
St. Eleutherios standing holding the Gospel in his left hand and offering a blessing with his right. Inscription in columns on both sides. Ο||Ο Σ|Γ|Ι — Ε|Λ|Ε|Ε|ΡΙ|Ο|Σ: ὁ ἅγιος Ἐλευθέριος. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of eight lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.
ΚΟΝΟ
ΟΡΦΥΡΟ
ΛΟΥΛΟ
ΓΟΥΣΕΛΕΥ
ΕΡΙΟΣ
ΠΡΟΣΚΥΡΟΙ
ΘΥΘΥΤΗΣ
Δα(βὶ)δ Κομνηνοῦ πορφυροβλάστου λόγους Ἐλευθέριος προσκυροῖ Θ(εο)ῦ θύτης
Obverse
St. Eleutherios standing holding the Gospel in his left hand and offering a blessing with his right. Inscription in columns on both sides. Ο||Ο Σ|Γ|Ι — Ε|Λ|Ε|Ε|ΡΙ|Ο|Σ: ὁ ἅγιος Ἐλευθέριος. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of eight lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.
ΚΟΝΟ
ΟΡΦΥΡΟ
ΛΟΥΛΟ
ΓΟΥΣΕΛΕΥ
ΕΡΙΟΣ
ΠΡΟΣΚΥΡΟΙ
ΘΥΘΥΤΗΣ
Δα(βὶ)δ Κομνηνοῦ πορφυροβλάστου λόγους Ἐλευθέριος προσκυροῖ Θ(εο)ῦ θύτης
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.3 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 43.0 mm; field: 36.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, no. 600 (with parallels listed); Feind, Verse auf byzantinischen Bleisiegeln I, no. 425. |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
Δαβὶδ Κομνηνοῦ πορφυροβλάστου λόγους Ἐλευθέριος προσκυροῖ Θεοῦ θύτης.
May Eleutherios, the priest of God, confirm the words of David Komnenos, born in the purple.
Bibliography
- Verse auf byzantinischen Bleisiegeln (Open in Zotero)
- Les sceaux byzantins du Médaillier Vatican (Open in Zotero)
- Les sceaux byzantins de la Collection Henri Seyrig (Open in Zotero)
- Les sceaux byzantins de la région danubienne en Serbie (Open in Zotero)
- Sfragistika (Open in Zotero)
- Molivdovuly grečeskogo Vostoka (Open in Zotero)
- Sceau inédit du David Comnène, libérateur du Pont et co-fondateur de l’Empire de Trébizonde (Open in Zotero)
- Sammlung Köhler-Osbahr, Vol. 5 (Open in Zotero)
- Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
The inscription consists of two dodecasyllabic verses.
This seal has several known parallels: Seyrig 573, Ermitazh M-7935 (Likhachev, p. 77), Vatican 178 (Laurent, Vatican, no. 178), Nationalmuseum Belgrade (Maksimović-Popović), Köhler-Osbahr 25 (Seibt and Althoff, no. 25). It is dated to the early thirteenth century (Laurent, Wassiliou-Seibt) and is therefore assigned to David Komnenos, the younger brother of Alexios I of Trebizond (1204-1222). This seal is likely related to BZS.1958.106.5585, which also bears the name of David Komnenos, described as βασιλεκγόνος or "descendant of the Emperor" (Zacos, no. 2754).