Skip to Content

Leo imperial cleric and chartoularios of Saint Sophia (eleventh century)

 
 

Obverse

Bust of the Mother of God holding medallion of Christ. Tongues of fire descending to the left and right of her head. Sigla: ̅ΘΥ̅ : Μ(ήτη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of five lines preceded and followed by indeterminate decoration. Border of dots.

λεο.τ,
̅κληρικ,
Sχαρτλ,
τησ.γι,
σοφια


Λέο[ν]τ(ι) β(ασιλικῷ) κληρικ(ῷ) (καὶ) χαρτουλ(αρίῳ) τῆς [Ἁ]γί(ας) Σοφία(ς)

Obverse

Bust of the Mother of God holding medallion of Christ. Tongues of fire descending to the left and right of her head. Sigla: ̅ΘΥ̅ : Μ(ήτη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of five lines preceded and followed by indeterminate decoration. Border of dots.

λεο.τ,
̅κληρικ,
Sχαρτλ,
τησ.γι,
σοφια


Λέο[ν]τ(ι) β(ασιλικῷ) κληρικ(ῷ) (καὶ) χαρτουλ(αρίῳ) τῆς [Ἁ]γί(ας) Σοφία(ς)

Accession number BZS.1955.1.4917
Diameter 22.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 5 no. 42.6.

Translation

Λέοντι βασιλικῷ κληρικῷ καὶ χαρτουλαρίῳ τῆς Ἁγίας Σοφίας.

Leo imperial cleric and chartoularios of Saint Sophia.

Commentary

Concerning the artistic device of "tongues of fire," see J. Cotsonis, "The Virgin with the 'Tongues of Fire' on Byzantine Lead Seals,DOP 48 (1994): 221-27.

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)
  • The Virgin with the "Tongues of Fire" on Byzantine Lead Seals (Open in Zotero)