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Michael Charsianites or Michael . . . of Charsianon (eleventh century)

 
 

Obverse

Bust of the Mother of God orans with the medallion of Christ on her breast. At left and right: Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.

Reverse

Bust of St. Nicholas. Remains of a vertical inscription at right: Κ|Ο|Λ: [Ὁ (ἅγιος) Νι]κόλ(αος). Within concentric circles of dots a circular inscription beginning at twelve o'clock.

μιχαηλμΥ......χαρσιαν,

Μιχαὴλ μυ . . . Χαρσιαν(οῦ) or Μιχαήλ μυ . . . Χαρσιαν(ίτην)

Obverse

Bust of the Mother of God orans with the medallion of Christ on her breast. At left and right: Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.

Reverse

Bust of St. Nicholas. Remains of a vertical inscription at right: Κ|Ο|Λ: [Ὁ (ἅγιος) Νι]κόλ(αος). Within concentric circles of dots a circular inscription beginning at twelve o'clock.

μιχαηλμΥ......χαρσιαν,

Μιχαὴλ μυ . . . Χαρσιαν(οῦ) or Μιχαήλ μυ . . . Χαρσιαν(ίτην)

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.3397
Diameter 25.0 mm; field: 22.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 5 no. 119.1.

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

Translation

Μιχαὴλ μυ . . . τοῦ Χαρσιανοῦ or Μιχαήλ μυ . . . Χαρσιανίτην.

Michael . . . of Charsianon or Michael Charsianites.

Commentary

The reading of the inscription on the reverse is highly conjectural. The name Michael is clear, as are two following letters: mu and upsilon. DO Seals 5 had suggested merarches as a possible title, but the presence of the upsilon precludes this. The final word could refer to a place or a family name.

Bibliography

  • Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Volume 5: The East (continued), Constantinople and Environs, Unknown Locations, Addenda, Uncertain Readings (Open in Zotero)