Iakobos Paxenos (twelfth century)
Obverse
The Three Youths in the Furnace with the prophet Daniel at left. Below, a figure (likely portraying the owner of the seal) prostrated at the feet of the prophet. Epigraphy visible above: ον μ.ση : ὁ Ἀνανίας Μισαήλ. Indistinct letters at left, likely identifying the figure as the prophet Daniel. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of four lines, top line missing. A decoration below. Border of dots.
.....
πηνον
ικονμε
σκεποισ
τριάς Παξηνὸν Ἰάκωβόν με σκέποις
Obverse
The Three Youths in the Furnace with the prophet Daniel at left. Below, a figure (likely portraying the owner of the seal) prostrated at the feet of the prophet. Epigraphy visible above: ον μ.ση : ὁ Ἀνανίας Μισαήλ. Indistinct letters at left, likely identifying the figure as the prophet Daniel. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of four lines, top line missing. A decoration below. Border of dots.
.....
πηνον
ικονμε
σκεποισ
τριάς Παξηνὸν Ἰάκωβόν με σκέποις
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.1841 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 23.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden II, no. 1766. |
Translation
τριάς Παξηνὸν Ἰάκωβόν με σκέποις.
May the three of you watch over me, Iakobos Paxenos.
Commentary
A rare depiction of an Old Testament scene, the Three Holy Youths (known by their Greek and Hebrew names as Ananias/Shadrach, Misael/Meshach, and Azariah/Abednego) in the Furnace, from the third chapter of the Book of Daniel. Wassiliou-Seibt identifies the suppliant at the feet of the prophet at left as the owner of the seal. She is surely correct in supplying Τριάς as the word with which the inscription on the reverse begins.