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Romanos I, Christophoros, and Constantine VII (ca. 929–31)

 
 

Obverse

Half-length representation of Christ, lightly bearded, wearing a tunic and himation. He raises his right hand in blessing and holds in his left a book with a richly ornamented cover. He has a cross behind his head, each arm of which is ornamented with a decoration consisting of three rows of dots separated by two lines. Circular inscription. Border of dots.

.......RISS

[Iηsus X]ristus.

Reverse

Three half-length figures: in center and foreground, Romanos I, bearded and with a square head, wearing a crown and a loros ,and holding a rotulus in his right hand and a globus in his left. In the background: at left, Christophoros, wearing a crown surmounted by a cross and a chlamys; at right, hidden behind the globus, Constantine VII, wearing a crown surmounted by a cross and a chlamys. Circular inscription. Border of dots.

ROAXRISOF........R

Roman(os), Χristof(oros) [ce Consta]nt(inos) b(asilis) R(omaion).

Obverse

Half-length representation of Christ, lightly bearded, wearing a tunic and himation. He raises his right hand in blessing and holds in his left a book with a richly ornamented cover. He has a cross behind his head, each arm of which is ornamented with a decoration consisting of three rows of dots separated by two lines. Circular inscription. Border of dots.

.......RISS

[Iηsus X]ristus.

Reverse

Three half-length figures: in center and foreground, Romanos I, bearded and with a square head, wearing a crown and a loros ,and holding a rotulus in his right hand and a globus in his left. In the background: at left, Christophoros, wearing a crown surmounted by a cross and a chlamys; at right, hidden behind the globus, Constantine VII, wearing a crown surmounted by a cross and a chlamys. Circular inscription. Border of dots.

ROAXRISOF........R

Roman(os), Χristof(oros) [ce Consta]nt(inos) b(asilis) R(omaion).

Accession number BZS.1958.106.570 (formerly DO 58.106.570)
Diameter 33.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 6, no. 60.1; Zacos–Veglery, no. 66d. For a similar specimen see Seibt–Zarnitz, no. 1.1.4.

Translation

Iηsus Xristus.
Romanos, Χristoforos ce Constantinos basilis Romaion.

Jesus Christ
Romanos, Christophoros, and Constantine, basileis of the Romans

Commentary

Zacos–Veglery and Seibt–Zarnitz describe the object in Romanos I’s hand as an akakia.

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)
  • Das byzantinische Bleisiegel als Kunstwerk: Katalog zur Ausstellung (Open in Zotero)