Alexios I Komnenos (1081–1118)
Obverse
Christ seated on a high-back throne, wearing a tunic and himation, raising his right hand in blessing and holding a book in his left. He has a nimbus cruciger. Sigla visible at right: χ̅ : [Ἰ(ησοῦ)ς] Χ(ριστό)[ς]. Border of dots.
Reverse
The emperor Alexios I bearded, standing on a dais, wearing a crown and loros, an end of which is draped over his left wrist (not visible). He holds a labarum in his right hand and a globus cruciger in his left. Remains of a circular inscription at left. Border of dots.
ΛΛΕιωδ...........
Ἀλεξίῳ δ[(εσ)πότ(ῃ) τῷ Κομνην(ῷ)]
Obverse
Christ seated on a high-back throne, wearing a tunic and himation, raising his right hand in blessing and holding a book in his left. He has a nimbus cruciger. Sigla visible at right: χ̅ : [Ἰ(ησοῦ)ς] Χ(ριστό)[ς]. Border of dots.
Reverse
The emperor Alexios I bearded, standing on a dais, wearing a crown and loros, an end of which is draped over his left wrist (not visible). He holds a labarum in his right hand and a globus cruciger in his left. Remains of a circular inscription at left. Border of dots.
ΛΛΕιωδ...........
Ἀλεξίῳ δ[(εσ)πότ(ῃ) τῷ Κομνην(ῷ)]
Accession number | BZS.1958.106.617 |
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Diameter | 27.0 mm |
Previous Editions | DO Seals 6, no. 88.8. |
Translation
Ἀλεξίῳ δεσπότῃ τῷ Κομνηνῷ.
Alexios Komnenos, despotes.
Bibliography
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Vol. 6, Emperors, Patriarchs of Constantinople, Addenda (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
The inscription identifying the emperor begins with a deformed alpha, that looks like Λ.
The reading of the reverse inscription here, in particular the abbreviations, is based on comparison with BZS.1958.106.611.