Zeus Numismatics
Auction 1 17 Nov 2019
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Byzantine lead seal of Michael Dikaspolos (Judge) (11th cent.)
A very interesting artistically and probably unpublished seal!
Condition: Slightly off-center sealing, some weakness in sealing on one small part, otherwise about Extremely Fine. Attractive patina.
Obverse:Archangel Michael, standing facing, nimbate, winged, wearing a mandya, holding a sceptre in his right hand, and globus (mappa mundi) in his left, columnar inscription: ΜΙ-ΧΑ(ΗΛ) = Μιχαὴλ ([archangel] Michael), all within dotted border.
Reverse: Inscription in 5 lines, starting and ending with decorative patterns, all within a dotted border: + ΟΜΩ/[Ν]ΥΜΟΝ ΦΥ/[Λ]ΑΤΤΕ CΟΝ/ [Δ]ΙΚΑCΠΟ/ΛΟΝ = + Ὁμώνυμον φύλαττε σὸν δικασπόλον ([Archangel Michael], protect me that I bear your name and I am a judge).
Comments: The owner of the present seal was a judge (this is the meaning of the unusual ancient greek term δικασπόλος [actually the one who gives law]), named Michael.
Weight: 32.53
Diameter: 31 mm
A very interesting artistically and probably unpublished seal!
Condition: Slightly off-center sealing, some weakness in sealing on one small part, otherwise about Extremely Fine. Attractive patina.
Obverse:Archangel Michael, standing facing, nimbate, winged, wearing a mandya, holding a sceptre in his right hand, and globus (mappa mundi) in his left, columnar inscription: ΜΙ-ΧΑ(ΗΛ) = Μιχαὴλ ([archangel] Michael), all within dotted border.
Reverse: Inscription in 5 lines, starting and ending with decorative patterns, all within a dotted border: + ΟΜΩ/[Ν]ΥΜΟΝ ΦΥ/[Λ]ΑΤΤΕ CΟΝ/ [Δ]ΙΚΑCΠΟ/ΛΟΝ = + Ὁμώνυμον φύλαττε σὸν δικασπόλον ([Archangel Michael], protect me that I bear your name and I am a judge).
Comments: The owner of the present seal was a judge (this is the meaning of the unusual ancient greek term δικασπόλος [actually the one who gives law]), named Michael.
Weight: 32.53
Diameter: 31 mm