Watch List notes:

Manuel Dimyres, sebastos, late 13th-14th century. Seal (Lead, 36 mm, 24.14 g, 12 h). IC-XC Christ standing facing, wearing nimbus cruciger, blessing with his right hand and holding book of Gospels in his left. Rev. [C]ΦPA[ΓIC] / [Γ]ЄN૪ MOI KAI / KPATOC ΘV ΛO/ΓЄ OIKTPⲰ MAN/૪HΛ CERACTⲰ / TⲰ ΔIMVPH ("Word of God, be the seal and the strength to the miserable Manuel Dimyres, sebastos") in six lines, decoration below. Stavrakos 63. Zacos Sale II (Spink auction 132), lot 225. Wassiliou-Seibt 2373b. Very fine.


The owner of this seal might have been the poet Manuel Dimyres attested in the middle of the 14th century. The poetic legend on this seal would certainly be fitting for a wordsmith.