Anonymous (twelfth century, second half)
Obverse
The Virgin orans with a medallion of Christ before her. Sigla: Μ̣̅Θ̅ : Μ(ήτηρ) Θ(έου). Border of dots.
Reverse
St Mark: his right hand is indistinct while he holds a gospel book in his left. Inscription in two columns: .||Ρ – Κ̣|o: [ὁ ἅ(γιος)] Μάρκο(ς). Border of dots.
Obverse
The Virgin orans with a medallion of Christ before her. Sigla: Μ̣̅Θ̅ : Μ(ήτηρ) Θ(έου). Border of dots.
Reverse
St Mark: his right hand is indistinct while he holds a gospel book in his left. Inscription in two columns: .||Ρ – Κ̣|o: [ὁ ἅ(γιος)] Μάρκο(ς). Border of dots.
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.3562 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 17.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 7, no. 10.40. |
| 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
St Mark is not often found on seals. The 30 examples of Mark found among the major published collections of seals belong to the eleventh century and 26 of these belong to members of the Xeros family. For a discussion of these seals with Mark’s image, see Oikomomides, “The Usual Lead Seal,” 153-157 and Caseau, “Saint Mark,” 81-109.