Michael Charsianites or Michael . . . of Charsianon (eleventh century)
Obverse
Bust of the Mother of God orans with the medallion of Christ on her breast. At left and right: Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.
Obverse
Bust of the Mother of God orans with the medallion of Christ on her breast. At left and right: Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Bust of St. Nicholas. Remains of a vertical inscription at right: Κ|Ο|Λ: [Ὁ (ἅγιος) Νι]κόλ(αος). Within concentric circles of dots a circular inscription beginning at twelve o'clock.
μιχαηλμΥ......χαρσιαν,
Μιχαὴλ μυ . . . Χαρσιαν(οῦ) or Μιχαήλ μυ . . . Χαρσιαν(ίτην)
Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.3397 |
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Diameter | 25.0 mm; field: 22.0 mm |
Previous Editions | DO Seals 5 no. 119.1. |
Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
Μιχαὴλ μυ . . . τοῦ Χαρσιανοῦ or Μιχαήλ μυ . . . Χαρσιανίτην.
Michael . . . of Charsianon or Michael Charsianites.
Bibliography
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Volume 5: The East (continued), Constantinople and Environs, Unknown Locations, Addenda, Uncertain Readings (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
The reading of the inscription on the reverse is highly conjectural. The name Michael is clear, as are two following letters: mu and upsilon. DO Seals 5 had suggested merarches as a possible title, but the presence of the upsilon precludes this. The final word could refer to a place or a family name.