Michael VI Bringas (1056–57)
Obverse
Half-length representation of Christ Emmanuel, bearded, wearing a tunic and himation and holding the right hand in blessing and a book in the left. He has a nimbus cruciger; each arm contains a decoration consisting of five pellets. Sigla at left and right: Ἰ(ησοῦ)ς Χ(ριστό)ς. Circular inscription. Border of dots.
ΕΜΜΑΝΟΥΗΛ
Ἐμμανουήλ.
Reverse
Half-length representation of the emperor Michael VI, wearing a crown with a cross and pendilia and a loros and holding a labarum in his right hand. His hair at his temples curls outwards. Circular inscription. Border of dots.
ΙΧΑΗ ΑΤΟΡΑ
Mιχaηl autocrat[or].
Obverse
Half-length representation of Christ Emmanuel, bearded, wearing a tunic and himation and holding the right hand in blessing and a book in the left. He has a nimbus cruciger; each arm contains a decoration consisting of five pellets. Sigla at left and right: Ἰ(ησοῦ)ς Χ(ριστό)ς. Circular inscription. Border of dots.
ΕΜΜΑΝΟΥΗΛ
Ἐμμανουήλ.
Reverse
Half-length representation of the emperor Michael VI, wearing a crown with a cross and pendilia and a loros and holding a labarum in his right hand. His hair at his temples curls outwards. Circular inscription. Border of dots.
ΙΧΑΗ ΑΤΟΡΑ
Mιχaηl autocrat[or].
| Accession number | BZS.1961.21 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 27.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | Grierson, "Byzantine Gold Bullae," no. 4; Zacos-Veglery, no. 83. |
Translation
Mιχaηl autocrat[or].
Michael autokrator.
Bibliography
- Byzantine Imperial Seals: The Catalogue of the Collection (Open in Zotero)
- Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
Christ's hands and the Gospel book are obscure.
This seal differs from the lead seal of Michael (BZS.1955.1.4318; see also Sokolova, Byzantine Imperial Seals, nos. 119 and 120) in two details. First, the emperor holds a labarum in his right hand rather than a globus cruciger. Second, Michael's hair at his temples curls outwards rather than inwards.