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Maria Komnene, born in the purple, daughter of the sebastokrator Andronikos (twelfth century, second half)

 
 

Obverse

The Mother of God (the Hagiosoritissa), raising both arms towards the manus Dei (which will have been in the portion of the seal broken off) Inscription: .. Θ|Η|Α|Γ|Ι|.|ΣΟ|ΡΙΤΙ|ΣΣ[Μ(ήτη)ρ] Θ(εο)ῦ ἡ Ἁγι[ο]σορίτισσα. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of six lines, a cross above. Border of dots.


ΣΚΈΠΟΙΣΚΟ
.ΠΑΙΔΑΝ
.ΡΟΝΊΚΚΌΡΗ
..ΑΟΚΡΑΤ

..ΡΥΡΑΥΓ
.ΑΡΙ.Ν

σκέποις Κο[μ]νηνὴν παῖδ᾽ Ἀν[δ]ρονίκου, κόρη, [σε]βαστοκρατ(ο)ῦ(ς) [πο]ρφυραυγοῦ(ς) [Μ]αρί[α]ν

Obverse

The Mother of God (the Hagiosoritissa), raising both arms towards the manus Dei (which will have been in the portion of the seal broken off) Inscription: .. Θ|Η|Α|Γ|Ι|.|ΣΟ|ΡΙΤΙ|ΣΣ[Μ(ήτη)ρ] Θ(εο)ῦ ἡ Ἁγι[ο]σορίτισσα. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of six lines, a cross above. Border of dots.


ΣΚΈΠΟΙΣΚΟ
.ΠΑΙΔΑΝ
.ΡΟΝΊΚΚΌΡΗ
..ΑΟΚΡΑΤ

..ΡΥΡΑΥΓ
.ΑΡΙ.Ν

σκέποις Κο[μ]νηνὴν παῖδ᾽ Ἀν[δ]ρονίκου, κόρη, [σε]βαστοκρατ(ο)ῦ(ς) [πο]ρφυραυγοῦ(ς) [Μ]αρί[α]ν

Accession number BZS.1958.106.522
Diameter 31.0 mm; field: 25.0 mm
Previous Editions

Zacos-Veglery, Byzantine Lead Seals, vol. 1, no. 2733; cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden II, no. 2025.

Translation

σκέποις Κομνηνὴν παῖδ᾽ Ἀνδρονίκου, Κόρη, σεβαστοκρατοῦς πορφυραυγοῦς Μαρίαν.

Virgin, protect Maria Komnene, the daughter of the sebastokrator Andronikos, born in the purple.

Commentary

Note the accent marks and the syncopated forms of sebastokrator and porphyraugoustos.

Wassiliou-Seibt proposes that the owner of the seal is to be identified with the daughter of Andronikos I Komnenos (1183-1185). See the remarks in the commentary to the entry in her catalogue.

Bibliography

  • Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 2, Siegellegenden von Ny bis inklusive Sphragis (Open in Zotero)
  • Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)