Anonymous (eleventh century, first half)
Obverse
Bust of the Virgin with her hands raised before her breast; above the sigla are the “Tongues of Fire;” a large pellet is at the center of the nimbus above the head of the Virgin. Sigla: ̣̅ΘΥ̣ : Μ(ήτη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Bust of St John the Baptist, holding a long cross-staff in his right hand and possibly a closed scroll in his left. Inscription in two columns: ̣|.̅|.Π|Ο|.,| : ὁ ἅ(γιος) [Ἰ]ω(άννης) [ὁ] Πρό[δ]ρ(ο)μ(ος). Border of dots.
Obverse
Bust of the Virgin with her hands raised before her breast; above the sigla are the “Tongues of Fire;” a large pellet is at the center of the nimbus above the head of the Virgin. Sigla: ̣̅ΘΥ̣ : Μ(ήτη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Bust of St John the Baptist, holding a long cross-staff in his right hand and possibly a closed scroll in his left. Inscription in two columns: ̣|.̅|.Π|Ο|.,| : ὁ ἅ(γιος) [Ἰ]ω(άννης) [ὁ] Πρό[δ]ρ(ο)μ(ος). Border of dots.
| Accession number | BZS.1955.1.1822 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 21.0 mm; field: 16.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 7, no. 4.7. |
Bibliography
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Volume 7: The Iconographic Seals (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
The “Tongues of Fire” appear over Marian sigla on numerous seals from the tenth/eleventh and eleventh centuries. This iconographic detail refers to a descent of the Holy Spirit and corresponds to a period in which the potential for images to take on life (ἔμψυχος γραφή = empsychos graphe, or "a living painting") through the operation of the Holy Spirit was particularly acknowledged. This participation of the Holy Spirit was especially associated with a Marian icon at the Blachernai church of the Virgin in Constantinople and the “usual miracle” occurring on Friday evenings. For a discussion of the sphragistic “Tongues of Fire” and “living painting” in this context, see Cotsonis, “‘Tongues of Fire’,” 221-227.