Anonymous (thirteenth century, second half)
Obverse
The Mother of God (Episkepsis) standing, orans, with an oval medallion of Christ before her. Sigla: ̅ΘΥ̅ : Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. On either side, a vertical inscription: ηε|πι|σκε|Ψ|ι : ἡ Ἐπίσκεψι(ς). Indeterminate border.
Reverse
Inscription of seven lines, top line only partially preserved. Indeterminate border.
....Σ̣
Α̣χειρασειΣ̣
Π̣ισκεψινκο
ουσκεπην
απαναγΝ̣
εακτεοι
σδιδ
[ἁπλοῦ]σα χεῖρας εἰς [ἐ]πίσκεψιν κό[σ]μου σκέπην [κ]ἀμοῦ, Πάναγνε, πρακτέοις δίδου
Obverse
The Mother of God (Episkepsis) standing, orans, with an oval medallion of Christ before her. Sigla: ̅ΘΥ̅ : Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. On either side, a vertical inscription: ηε|πι|σκε|Ψ|ι : ἡ Ἐπίσκεψι(ς). Indeterminate border.
Reverse
Inscription of seven lines, top line only partially preserved. Indeterminate border.
....Σ̣
Α̣χειρασειΣ̣
Π̣ισκεψινκο
ουσκεπην
απαναγΝ̣
εακτεοι
σδιδ
[ἁπλοῦ]σα χεῖρας εἰς [ἐ]πίσκεψιν κό[σ]μου σκέπην [κ]ἀμοῦ, Πάναγνε, πρακτέοις δίδου
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.457 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 35.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, no. 123. |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
ἁπλοῦσα χεῖρας εἰς ἐπίσκεψιν κόσμου σκέπην κἀμοῦ, Πάναγνε, πρακτέοις δίδου.
As you stretch forth your hands for the care of the world, All-holy One, give your protection to my acts as well.
Bibliography
- Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 1, Siegellegenden von Alpha bis inclusive My (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
The inscription consists of two twelve-syllable verses. The reading of this specimen (a token or tessara, given the lack of a channel) has been restored with reference to the many parallels noted by Wassiliou-Seibt.