Michael VIII Palaiologos (1261-1282)
Obverse
Christ bearded standing before a low thokos, wearing a tunic and himation and holding the right hand in blessing and a book in the left. He has a nimbus cruciger. Sigla visible at left: ΙΣ̅ : Ἰ(ησοῦ)ς [Χ(ριστό)ς]. Border of dots.
Reverse
The emperor Michael VIII standing, wearing a crown and chlamys. He holds a labarum in the right hand and an akakia in the left. So far as one can tell the emperor’s chin is covered with a short beard. One can discern, in an abbreviated and stylized form, the manus Dei in the upper right field. Inscription in two columns. Border of dots.
.. Ο
ΔΕ ΠΑ
ΣΠΟ Λ
ΤΙ ΕΟ
Σ ΛΟ
ΓΟ
Σ
[Μ(ι)χ(αὴλ)] δεσπότις ὁ Παλεολόγος.
Obverse
Christ bearded standing before a low thokos, wearing a tunic and himation and holding the right hand in blessing and a book in the left. He has a nimbus cruciger. Sigla visible at left: ΙΣ̅ : Ἰ(ησοῦ)ς [Χ(ριστό)ς]. Border of dots.
Reverse
The emperor Michael VIII standing, wearing a crown and chlamys. He holds a labarum in the right hand and an akakia in the left. So far as one can tell the emperor’s chin is covered with a short beard. One can discern, in an abbreviated and stylized form, the manus Dei in the upper right field. Inscription in two columns. Border of dots.
.. Ο
ΔΕ ΠΑ
ΣΠΟ Λ
ΤΙ ΕΟ
Σ ΛΟ
ΓΟ
Σ
[Μ(ι)χ(αὴλ)] δεσπότις ὁ Παλεολόγος.
| Accession number | BZS.1955.1.4358 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 27.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 6, no. 104.2. |
Translation
Michael Palaiologos, despotes.
Bibliography
- Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Vol. 6, Emperors, Patriarchs of Constantinople, Addenda (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
Zacos and Veglery have published two variant types. On their type A Michael is represented holding a short labarum in the right hand and a globus surmounted by a patriarchal cross in the left (Zacos–Veglery, no. 120). A superb example of this type is preserved in the Istanbul Collection. See Ébersolt, Sceaux, pl. VII, no. 6. On this specimen it is possible to discern that the emperor is wearing a long, pointed beard. In the upper right. field the manus Dei appears quite clearly. On their type B (no. 121) the emperor wears a loros, an end of which is draped over the left forearm. He holds a cross scepter in the right hand and an akakia in the left.