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.
ROAXRISOF........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.
ROAXRISOF........R
Roman(os), Χristof(oros) [ce Consta]nt(inos) b(asilis) R(omaion).
Accession number | BZS.1958.106.570 (formerly DO 58.106.570) |
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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
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)
Commentary
Zacos–Veglery and Seibt–Zarnitz describe the object in Romanos I’s hand as an akakia.