John (member of the) diakonia of the church of the Blachernae (ninth century, first half)
Obverse
Cruciform invocative monogram (type V); in the quarters: Ι|Ν: Ἰωάννῃ. Wreath border.
Θεοτόκε βοήθει Ἰωάννῃ
Reverse
Inscription of four lines, row of dots below. Indeterminate border.
ΤΗΣ
/ΚΟΝΙ/Τ/
ΝΕΒΛ
ΧΕΡ.
Τῆς δ(ια)κονί(ας) τ(οῦ) νεὼ Βλαχερ[ν]ώ(ν)
Obverse
Cruciform invocative monogram (type V); in the quarters: Ι|Ν: Ἰωάννῃ. Wreath border.
Θεοτόκε βοήθει Ἰωάννῃ
Reverse
Inscription of four lines, row of dots below. Indeterminate border.
ΤΗΣ
/ΚΟΝΙ/Τ/
ΝΕΒΛ
ΧΕΡ.
Τῆς δ(ια)κονί(ας) τ(οῦ) νεὼ Βλαχερ[ν]ώ(ν)
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.257 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 22.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 5 no. 31.1a; Laurent, Corpus 5.3: no. 1921; Zacos–Veglery, no. 2008 (with misreading). |
Translation
Θεοτόκε βοήθει Ἰωάννῃ τῆς διακονίας τοῦ νεὼ Βλαχερνών.
Mother of God, help John, (member) of the diakonia of the new Blachernae.
Bibliography
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Volume 5: The East (continued), Constantinople and Environs, Unknown Locations, Addenda, Uncertain Readings (Open in Zotero)
- Le Corpus des sceaux de l’empire byzantin (Open in Zotero)
- Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
The inscription on the reverse constitutes a twelve-syllable verse.