Anonymous (twelfth century, second half)
Obverse
Τhe Virgin orans with a medallion of Christ before her. Sigla: ̅Θ̅ : Μ(ήτηρ) Θ(εοῦ). Border of dots.
Reverse
St Gregory the Theologian blessing with his right hand and holding a gospel book in his left. Inscription in two columns: .|Α̣Γ̣|Ι̣|Ο̣Σ̣Γ̣|Ρ̣Ι|ΓΟ|Ρ̣Ι, : [ὁ] ἅγιος Γριγόρι(ος). Border of dots.
Obverse
Τhe Virgin orans with a medallion of Christ before her. Sigla: ̅Θ̅ : Μ(ήτηρ) Θ(εοῦ). Border of dots.
Reverse
St Gregory the Theologian blessing with his right hand and holding a gospel book in his left. Inscription in two columns: .|Α̣Γ̣|Ι̣|Ο̣Σ̣Γ̣|Ρ̣Ι|ΓΟ|Ρ̣Ι, : [ὁ] ἅγιος Γριγόρι(ος). Border of dots.
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.3375 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 21.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 7, no. 89. |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Bibliography
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Volume 7: The Iconographic Seals (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
We have identified the image on the reverse as that of Gregory the Theologian (also known as Gregory Nazianzus), the fourth-century bishop from Cappadocia, later archibishop of Constantinople, and close friend of Basil the Great, who along with John Chrysostom is one of the three most important and celebrated Church Fathers. It bears noting that the image of Gregory the Theologian appears less often than that of other holy hierarchs, principally Nicholas, John Chrysostom, or Basil. Fifty-two examples of images representing a St Gregory around in the published collections. Of these, fourteen are identified as the Theologian, nineteen as the Thaumatourgos, and one as of Nysa. Since the St Gregory on this DO seal is not accompanied by an epithet, it is most likely the Theologian who is portrayed. He does appear with the epithet "Theologian" on two seals published in DO Seals 7, BZS.1958.106.2750 and BZS.1951.31.5.3556. On these the image conforms with the standard portrait features: balding head, full face, and squared beard, as seen in the Menologion of Basil II (Menologio de Basile II, picture 149); for the portrait type, see Buchthal, "Portraiture."