John Taronites (eleventh/twelfth century)
Obverse
Bust of the Mother of God (Theoskepastos) orans, the medallion of Christ before her. Sigla on either side: ΜΡ̅ΘΥ̅: Μ(ήτη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Above, a semi-circular inscription presenting the epithet: ΘΕΟΣΚΕΠΑΣΤΟ. ἡ Θεοσκέπαστος. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of five lines, a cross above. Border of dots.
ΔΕΣΠΟΙΝΑ
̣ΟΗΘΕΙΜΟΙ
Τ̣ΣΔΛ
Ι̅ΤΤΑΡ
ΝΙΤΗ
Δέσποινα, βοήθει μοι τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Ἰω(άννῃ) τῷ Ταρωνίτῃ
Obverse
Bust of the Mother of God (Theoskepastos) orans, the medallion of Christ before her. Sigla on either side: ΜΡ̅ΘΥ̅: Μ(ήτη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Above, a semi-circular inscription presenting the epithet: ΘΕΟΣΚΕΠΑΣΤΟ. ἡ Θεοσκέπαστος. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of five lines, a cross above. Border of dots.
ΔΕΣΠΟΙΝΑ
̣ΟΗΘΕΙΜΟΙ
Τ̣ΣΔΛ
Ι̅ΤΤΑΡ
ΝΙΤΗ
Δέσποινα, βοήθει μοι τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Ἰω(άννῃ) τῷ Ταρωνίτῃ
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.477 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 22.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | See Stratos Nikolaros, “Die Taronitai. Eine prosopographisch-sigillographische Studie,” Millennium 14 (2017), 227-291, no. 18 (dating this seal and its parallel 1947.2.1307 to the reign of Alexios I Komnenos, 1081-1118). |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
Δέσποινα, βοήθει μοι τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Ἰωάννῃ τῷ Ταρωνίτῃ.
Lady, help me, your servant John Taronites.
Commentary
See PBW : Ioannes 20714.