Watch List notes:

BYZANTINE SEALS, Ecclesiastical. Petros, monk and megas oikonomos, circa 1100. Seal or Bulla (Lead, 29 mm, 20.45 g, 12 h), Constantinople. MHP - ΘY The Virgin Theotokos, nimbate, wearing maphorion, raising her right hand in benediction and with her left arm around the facing nimbate Christ child; both seated facing, turned slightly to left, on an elaborate, high-backed, throne. Rev. -+- / ΠΕΤΡΟC ΜΟΝΑΧΟ ΚΑΙ ΜΕΓΑC ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΟC in six lines within round dotted border. Laurent, Corpus V.1 no. 57. A wonderful example with an unusual three-quarter depiction of the Virgin Mary and Child. Good very fine.


This seal is very interesting not only because of the unusual and artistic way that Virgin Mary is depicted, but also because of the fact that there is not a single abbreviation on the reverse, and amazingly enough all the accents are shown in the inscription. The engraver responsible for this seal must have been very well educated.