Anonymous (eleventh century, second half)
Obverse
The Virgin orans with a medallion of Christ before her. Sigla: ̅ΘΥ : Μ(ήτη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.
Reverse
St Nicholas, standing, seemingly holding a small cross in his right hand and holding a gospel book in his left. Sigla: |ΝΙ|Κ̣Ο̣ΛΑ|ΟΣ : ὁ ἁ(γιος) Νικόλαος. Border of dots.
Obverse
The Virgin orans with a medallion of Christ before her. Sigla: ̅ΘΥ : Μ(ήτη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.
Reverse
St Nicholas, standing, seemingly holding a small cross in his right hand and holding a gospel book in his left. Sigla: |ΝΙ|Κ̣Ο̣ΛΑ|ΟΣ : ὁ ἁ(γιος) Νικόλαος. Border of dots.
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.5330 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 28.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 7, no. 10.53. |
Bibliography
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Volume 7: The Iconographic Seals (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
It is unusual to find St Nicholas holding a small cross since he is not regarded as a martyr or confessor. Among the published collections, there is no such example of St Nicholas holding a cross, whereas the Dumbarton Oaks collection contains three others beside this specimen: BZS.1958.106.4394; BZS.1951.31.5.3525; BZS.1947.2.1828.