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Manuel I Komnenos (1143–1180)

 
 

Obverse

Half-length representation of a beardless Christ, wearing a tunic and himation and holding the right hand in blessing and a scroll in the left. He has a nimbus cruciger; each arm contains a decoration. Sigla visible at left and right: (ησοῦ)ς Χ(ριστό)[ς]. Inscription in two columns: [] Ἐμμαν[ου]ή[λ]. Indeterminate border.

Reverse

The emperor Manuel standing, wearing a crown with a cross and a loros, an end of which is draped over the left wrist. He holds a labarum in the right hand and an akakia in the left. Remains of a circular inscription. Border of dots.

....ηλ.εσποτ,οπ.ρφ...........

[Μαν]ουὴλ [δ]εσπότ(ης) π[ο]ρφ[υρογέννητος]

Obverse

Half-length representation of a beardless Christ, wearing a tunic and himation and holding the right hand in blessing and a scroll in the left. He has a nimbus cruciger; each arm contains a decoration. Sigla visible at left and right: (ησοῦ)ς Χ(ριστό)[ς]. Inscription in two columns: [] Ἐμμαν[ου]ή[λ]. Indeterminate border.

Reverse

The emperor Manuel standing, wearing a crown with a cross and a loros, an end of which is draped over the left wrist. He holds a labarum in the right hand and an akakia in the left. Remains of a circular inscription. Border of dots.

....ηλ.εσποτ,οπ.ρφ...........

[Μαν]ουὴλ [δ]εσπότ(ης) π[ο]ρφ[υρογέννητος]

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.1695
Diameter 34.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 6, no. 93.5.

Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore.

Translation

Μανουὴλ δεσπότης πορφυρογέννητος.

The emperor Manuel, born in the purple.

Commentary

It is clear that Manuel is wearing a crown surmounted by a cross, as in the case of Zacos-Veglery, no. 107c.

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)
  • Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)