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George Xylopolos (twelfth century, first half)

 
 

Obverse

St. George standing, holding a spear and shield. On either side, epigraphy: |γ|ε|ρ|γι|ο, : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Γεώργιο(ς). Within concentric circles of dots, a circular inscription beginning at two o'clock:

Μ̣ρτυσσσονιτ..

μάρτυς σῶσον ἱ(κέ)την ...

Reverse

Inscription of five lines. Border of dots.

γερ
γιου̣σφρ
γισμτ
υλοπ
λου

Γεωργίου σφράγισμα τοῦ Ξυλοπώλου

Obverse

St. George standing, holding a spear and shield. On either side, epigraphy: |γ|ε|ρ|γι|ο, : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Γεώργιο(ς). Within concentric circles of dots, a circular inscription beginning at two o'clock:

Μ̣ρτυσσσονιτ..

μάρτυς σῶσον ἱ(κέ)την ...

Reverse

Inscription of five lines. Border of dots.

γερ
γιου̣σφρ
γισμτ
υλοπ
λου

Γεωργίου σφράγισμα τοῦ Ξυλοπώλου

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.1328
Diameter 24.0 mm; field: 22.0 mm
Previous Editions

Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, no. 275.

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

Translation

μάρτυς σῶσον ἱκέτην ... Γεωργίου σφράγισμα τοῦ Ξυλοπώλου.

Martyr, preserve your servant ... . Seal of George Xylopolos.

Commentary

Note the mistaken lettering in the word σῶσον in which the sigma and omega are misplaced. The extant portion of the obverse inscription is the first half of a metrical inscription; the last two visible letters may be ΛΑ or ΝΙΚ, no doubt the beginning of a name that cannot be reconstituted.

Another metrical seal of a George Xylopo(u)los, bishop of Methymne, dated to the eleventh or twelfth century, may well have belonged to the same man. See PBW : Georgios 20199.

Bibliography

  • Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 1, Siegellegenden von Alpha bis inclusive My (Open in Zotero)