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N. Mavrokatakalos (twelfth century)

 
 

Obverse

Standing St. Theodore, facing, holding a spear in in  right hand and a shield in his left, rested upon the ground. Inscription in columns to both sides: |ΘΕ|ΟΔ||ΡΟ|Σ: ὁ ἅγιος Θεοδώρος. Linear border.

Reverse

Inscription in four lines. Linear border.

ΣΦΡΑ
ΓΙΣΟΜΑΥ
ΡΟΚΑΤΑ
ΚΑΛΟΣ

σφραγὶς ὁ Μαυβροκατάκαλος

Obverse

Standing St. Theodore, facing, holding a spear in in  right hand and a shield in his left, rested upon the ground. Inscription in columns to both sides: |ΘΕ|ΟΔ||ΡΟ|Σ: ὁ ἅγιος Θεοδώρος. Linear border.

Reverse

Inscription in four lines. Linear border.

ΣΦΡΑ
ΓΙΣΟΜΑΥ
ΡΟΚΑΤΑ
ΚΑΛΟΣ

σφραγὶς ὁ Μαυβροκατάκαλος

Accession number BZS.1947.2.1193
Diameter 30.0 mm; field: 22.0 mm

Translation

σφραγὶς ὁ Μαυβροκατάκαλος.

Mavrokatakalos is the seal.

Commentary

Because of the irregularity of the inscription and style of the seal, Laurent expressed doubt regarding the authenticity of this specimen in his unpublished catalogue of the Shaw collection.

The seal owner does not give his Christian name within the inscription; perhaps we are to infer that he was named Theodore on the basis of the saint depicted on the obverse.

Additionally, we should note the overcorrection in the spelling of the family name: there are two sounds for β given, the "correct" spelling using a diphthong, and the phonetic spelling using a β.