Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 91 2 Dec 2021
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Byzantine Iconographic PB Seal of Nikephoros, proedros and "first" of the judges. Circa AD 1050-1100. Nimbate figure of the Virgin Orans standing facing on dais, medallion of Christ on breast; St. Thomas(?) and St. Nicholas standing on either side, facing the Virgin and raising hands in supplication; MHP-OV across upper fields, [O ΘѠ]MAC O NIK-O to right, IRAC / ⧾ CVNMH TPICѠTЄP MAPTVPIΘVH ΠOΛѠCKЄΠOIϚ ΠPOЄΔPONKAI KPITѠNNI KHΦOPON in seven lines, ornaments above and below. Translation: Saviour, together with your Mother, the martyr, and the bishop, protect Nikephoros, proedros and "first" of the judges. DOC 5 129.1 = BZS.1955.1.3734; Zacos II pl. 63, 638 (a different seal described in catalogue); Laurent, Corpus 5.3, 1791 corr. (misread); for a seal with a similar obverse depiction, Zacos II 621 = BZS.1951.31.5.1348. 36.28g, 35mm, 12h.
Condition as seen. Exceptionally well preserved.
The sixth line of the reverse inscription implies that Nikephoros was "first" of the judges however it is not clear exactly what this means. The authors of the Dumbarton Oaks catalogue have suggested that this might indicate that he held the position of the Droungarios of the Watch, a prestigious and senior judicial position (p. 158-9). Werner Seibt has identified the owner of this seal as one of the nephews of the patriarch Michael Keroularios (1043–1058) in a discussion of a seal in the Zacos collection with a similar obverse composition (Österreich II, no. 54, and p. 82).
Condition as seen. Exceptionally well preserved.
The sixth line of the reverse inscription implies that Nikephoros was "first" of the judges however it is not clear exactly what this means. The authors of the Dumbarton Oaks catalogue have suggested that this might indicate that he held the position of the Droungarios of the Watch, a prestigious and senior judicial position (p. 158-9). Werner Seibt has identified the owner of this seal as one of the nephews of the patriarch Michael Keroularios (1043–1058) in a discussion of a seal in the Zacos collection with a similar obverse composition (Österreich II, no. 54, and p. 82).