Nomos AG
Auction 25 20 Nov 2022
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BYZANTINE SEALS. Leontios Andrabazes, patrikios, son of Christodoulos, circa 1050-1075. Seal or Bulla (Lead, 33 mm, 22.66 g, 12 h). MHP - ΘV Nimbate and draped half length bust of the Virgin Mary, turned slightly to the right, presenting, on her left, the youthful, nimbate half-length bust of Christ, who holds an akakia and raises his right hand in benediction. Rev. +KE BΘ /[Λ]EΩNTI / [Π]PI' TΩ VO /[XP]ICTOΔΛ / [A]ΝΔΡΑΒΑ/-ZΗ- (God save Leontios Andrabazes, Patrician and son of Christodoulos in six lines within round dotted border. Apparently unpublished save for its previous auction appearances. Of great rarity - apparently unique - and of considerable interest. A few scratches, otherwise, good very fine.
ex G. Hirsch Nachf. 281, 2 May 2012, 1152 and Sternberg XXVII, 7 November 1994, 650.
It is extremely unusual to find the name of the issuer's father on a Byzantine seal. We have to assume that Leontios must have both been very proud of his father as well as believing that the presence of his name would bring honour to his own. It is worth noting, as did the Sternberg cataloguer long ago, that the name Andrabazes is probably a Turkic military rank. This suggests that Leontios's father had been a mercenary commander in Byzantine service who reached high rank and converted to Christianity.
ex G. Hirsch Nachf. 281, 2 May 2012, 1152 and Sternberg XXVII, 7 November 1994, 650.
It is extremely unusual to find the name of the issuer's father on a Byzantine seal. We have to assume that Leontios must have both been very proud of his father as well as believing that the presence of his name would bring honour to his own. It is worth noting, as did the Sternberg cataloguer long ago, that the name Andrabazes is probably a Turkic military rank. This suggests that Leontios's father had been a mercenary commander in Byzantine service who reached high rank and converted to Christianity.