Anonymous (eleventh century)
Obverse
Bust of the Virgin holding a medallion of the Christ before her. Sigla: ̅ΘΥ̅ : Μ(ήτη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Remains of a circular inscription within a border of dots. Border of dots.
.....ΘΙΤΣΛ
[Θ(εοτό)κε βο]ήθι τῷ σῷ δούλ(ῷ)
Reverse
St John the Baptist, standing, holding a long cross-staff in his right hand; his left hand is indistinct. Inscription in two columns: Ο||ΓΙ|ΟΙ̅|Ο|Ρ|Ρ| : ὁ ἅγιο(ς) Ἰω(άννης) ὁ Πρ(ό)δρ(ο)μ(ος). Remains of a circular inscription within a border of dots.
ΓΙΕΙ̣̅Ο̣...
ἅγιε Ἰω(άννε) βο[ήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ]
Obverse
Bust of the Virgin holding a medallion of the Christ before her. Sigla: ̅ΘΥ̅ : Μ(ήτη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Remains of a circular inscription within a border of dots. Border of dots.
.....ΘΙΤΣΛ
[Θ(εοτό)κε βο]ήθι τῷ σῷ δούλ(ῷ)
Reverse
St John the Baptist, standing, holding a long cross-staff in his right hand; his left hand is indistinct. Inscription in two columns: Ο||ΓΙ|ΟΙ̅|Ο|Ρ|Ρ| : ὁ ἅγιο(ς) Ἰω(άννης) ὁ Πρ(ό)δρ(ο)μ(ος). Remains of a circular inscription within a border of dots.
ΓΙΕΙ̣̅Ο̣...
ἅγιε Ἰω(άννε) βο[ήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ]
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.3437 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 33.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 7, no. 9.4. |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
Θεοτόκε βοήθι τῷ σῷ δούλῷ. ἅγιε Ἰωάννε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ.
Mother of God, help Thy servant. St John, help Thy servant.
Bibliography
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Volume 7: The Iconographic Seals (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
For discussion of the iconography of John the Baptist, customarily shown with shaggy, unkempt hair and beard, a cross-staff, and the rough fur mantle of the ascetic prophet, see ODB 2: 1069, and Katsiote, Σκηνές, passim.