Manuel Liparites, doctor (twelfth century)
Obverse
In the centre, two seated figures with animals, one seemingly a goat, the other a coiled serpent. They flank a central figure who is looking heavenwards. Along the circumference a circular inscription beginning with a cross at twelve o'clock:
προσχεστοπαραιγμ,τττι
πρόσχες τὸ παράδιγμ(α) τούτου τοῦ βίου
Reverse
Inscription of four lines, a cross above. Border of dots.
σρσ
Ϊτρμ
νηλλιπ
ριτ
σφραγὶς ἰατροῦ Μανουὴλ Λιπαρίτου
Obverse
In the centre, two seated figures with animals, one seemingly a goat, the other a coiled serpent. They flank a central figure who is looking heavenwards. Along the circumference a circular inscription beginning with a cross at twelve o'clock:
προσχεστοπαραιγμ,τττι
πρόσχες τὸ παράδιγμ(α) τούτου τοῦ βίου
Reverse
Inscription of four lines, a cross above. Border of dots.
σρσ
Ϊτρμ
νηλλιπ
ριτ
σφραγὶς ἰατροῦ Μανουὴλ Λιπαρίτου
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.406 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 28.0 mm; field: 25.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden II, no. 1852 (with a correction in no. 2455), noting earlier editions. See also PBW : Manuel 20102. |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
πρόσχες τὸ παράδιγμα τούτου τοῦ βίου. σφραγὶς ἰατροῦ Μανουὴλ Λιπαρίτου.
Heed the example of this life. Seal of the doctor Manuel Liparites.
Bibliography
- Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 2, Siegellegenden von Ny bis inklusive Sphragis (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
The scene depicted on the obverse (which could just as easily be taken as the reverse) appears to be unique. Wassiliou-Seibt interprets it as an episode from the life of a healing saint who is shown here thanking God for effecting a cure. The question remains open.