Skip to Content

N. (twelfth century)

 
 

Obverse

The Mother of God seated on a high-backed throne with the Child in her lap. Sigla on either side: ̅θυ : Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Within concentric borders of dots, a partially preserved circular inscription beginning at twelve o'clock:

σφραγισμαμ̣η̣τ̣η̣ρ̣θυ...........

σφράγισμα Μήτηρ Θ(εο)ῦ ....

Reverse

St Diomedes standing, holding the martyr's cross in his right hand. Inscription on either side: ||ι|ομ|η||η|σ : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Διομήδης. Along the circumference, between concentric borders of dots, a circular inscription beginning at twelve o'clock:

...........τυροσδιομηδουσ

... [μάρ]τυρος Διομήδους

Obverse

The Mother of God seated on a high-backed throne with the Child in her lap. Sigla on either side: ̅θυ : Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Within concentric borders of dots, a partially preserved circular inscription beginning at twelve o'clock:

σφραγισμαμ̣η̣τ̣η̣ρ̣θυ...........

σφράγισμα Μήτηρ Θ(εο)ῦ ....

Reverse

St Diomedes standing, holding the martyr's cross in his right hand. Inscription on either side: ||ι|ομ|η||η|σ : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Διομήδης. Along the circumference, between concentric borders of dots, a circular inscription beginning at twelve o'clock:

...........τυροσδιομηδουσ

... [μάρ]τυρος Διομήδους

Accession number BZS.1977.34.13
Diameter 29.0 mm

Translation

σφράγισμα Μήτηρ Θεοῦ .... μάρτυρος Διομήδους.

The Mother of God is the seal ... ... of the martyr Diomedes.

Commentary

This seal is noteworthy for its rare image of the early fourth-century martyr St Diomedes. The inscription appears to be metrical.