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(Michael?) Strephnos, vestiarios (twelfth century, second half)

 
 

Obverse

Two standing saints. The figure on the left, holding a spear and shield, is identified as St. Theodore (no epigraphy is visible). With his hands raised in supplication is St. Hyacinth on the right, standing beside a tree. Epigraphy on the right: |ι|κιν|θο|σ: ὁ ἅ(γιος) Ἱάκινθος. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of five lines, a cross above. Border of dots.


στρεν.
σφργισ̣
πευκ
εστι.
ριου

Στρεφν[οῦ] σφραγὶς πέφυκα βεστι[α]ρίου

Obverse

Two standing saints. The figure on the left, holding a spear and shield, is identified as St. Theodore (no epigraphy is visible). With his hands raised in supplication is St. Hyacinth on the right, standing beside a tree. Epigraphy on the right: |ι|κιν|θο|σ: ὁ ἅ(γιος) Ἱάκινθος. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of five lines, a cross above. Border of dots.


στρεν.
σφργισ̣
πευκ
εστι.
ριου

Στρεφν[οῦ] σφραγὶς πέφυκα βεστι[α]ρίου

Accession number BZS.1958.106.5702
Diameter 27.0 mm
Previous Editions

Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden II, no. 2282.

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

Translation

Στρεφνοῦ σφραγὶς πέφυκα βεστιαρίου.

I am the seal of Strephnos, vestiarios.

Commentary

Despite the difference in the rendering of the name (Strephnos/Stryphnos), this seal likely belonged to Michael Stryphnos, attested as a sebastos and grand doux of the fleet in the last decade of the twelfth century. See Wassiliou-Seibt's commentary on this seal and on BZS.1951.31.5.534 (Siegel mit metrischen Legenden II, no. 2362).

Bibliography

  • Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 2, Siegellegenden von Ny bis inklusive Sphragis (Open in Zotero)