Leu Numismatik AG
Web Auction 17 14-16 Aug 2021
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Anonymous, circa 10th century. Amulet (Lead, 30 mm, 11.09 g, 12 h). A-H/CO / CI/CI/NI/O ("Saint Sissinios") Saint Sissinios riding on horseback to the right, nimbate and holding spear topped with a cross, trampling demon; all within decorated border. Rev. A... / AΓIOC; all within decorated border. Apparently unpublished. An extremely rare amulet invoking Saint Sissinios. Corroded, otherwise, about very fine.
Numerous amulets with the imagery of a Holy Rider spearing a female demon survive from Byzantine times in various materials and of various degrees of artisanship. If the rider is named, he is mostly identified as Solomon, but some rare amulets bear the name Sisinnios as the vanquisher of demons. In fact, the reputation of Saint Sisinnios as a protector against child-snatching demons is well-attested throughout the Byzantine period, and even survived into early modern times.
Numerous amulets with the imagery of a Holy Rider spearing a female demon survive from Byzantine times in various materials and of various degrees of artisanship. If the rider is named, he is mostly identified as Solomon, but some rare amulets bear the name Sisinnios as the vanquisher of demons. In fact, the reputation of Saint Sisinnios as a protector against child-snatching demons is well-attested throughout the Byzantine period, and even survived into early modern times.