Theodora Doukaina Palaiologina (1259–82)
Obverse
The Mother of God seated on a thokos, holding Christ on her lap. Sigla at left and right: ̅ΘΥ̅ : Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.
Obverse
The Mother of God seated on a thokos, holding Christ on her lap. Sigla at left and right: ̅ΘΥ̅ : Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.
Reverse
The empress standing, wearing a high crown and a loros. She holds in the left hand a jeweled trefoil scepter. Inscription in two columns. Border of dots.
ΘΕ
ΟΔΩ
ΡΕΥ
ΣΕΒΕ
ΤΗ
Γ
̣̣
Δ
ΚΙ
ΝΗ
ΠΛ.
ΟΛΟ̣
ΓΙ̣
Θεοδώρα εὐσεβεστάτη αὐγούστα Δούκαινα ἡ Παλα[ι]ολογί[να]
Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.1701 |
---|---|
Diameter | 37.0 mm |
Previous Editions | DO Seals 6, no. 105.1. |
Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
Θεοδώρα εὐσεβεστάτη αὐγούστα Δούκαινα ἡ Παλαιολογίνα.
Theodora Doukaina Palaiologina, most pious augusta.
Commentary
Theodora, who was the daughter of John Doukas and the wife of Michael VIII, outlived her husband by many years. She died in 1303.
A particularly fine example of the empress’s seal is published in Seibt–Zarnitz, no. 1.3.3. For a similar seal, see Likhachev, Molivdovuly, pl. LXXIX, no. 4.