Theodora Doukaina Palaiologina (1259-1282)
Obverse
The Mother of God seated on a thokos type throne, 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 type throne, 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, the daughter of John Doukas and the wife of Michael VIII Palaiologos (reigned 1261-1282), 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.