Zacos and Veglery 2 volumes full set

[apgrassman]

Hi All

I understand that these are the best volumes to have for Byzantine Lead Seals but had the following question.

With all the online information (Including Dumbarton Oaks)that is now available would it still be a good idea to look out for a full set on the "buy the book" philosophy even though the set is expensive, i think the last lot i saw sold for £600.

I have a few books regarding Byzantine Lead Seals including Spink Zacos Sale catalogues,  Metcalf Cyprus, Oikonomides Dated.

Anyway hope somebody can shed some light on their overall usefulness in this modern world.

Thanks in anticipation.

Alan

[Gert]

If you compare the amount of numismatic and sigillographic material that is published online, you'll find that only a relatively small part of seals is available online. This may change over the next decades, but right now, that's simply the case. Only the collection of DO is available online, but not yet completely (but I think the seals published in their books are all there). Another great resource is 'Prosopography of the Byzantine World' which lists a large number of seals, but only readings, no photos. All the other online resources are so fragmentary that they are not very useful. So it really depends on how you consider yourself as a researcher/collector. I think Zacos I and II are pretty much a 'must buy' to every collector with Byzantine seals as main subject. Simply because  they describe an enormous amount of material (3400 examples, not counting multiples and quoted specimens) a substantive part of which can't be found elsewhere.


Regards
Gert

[apgrassman]

Hi Gert

Thanks for your comprehensive reply, i like to think of myself as a researcher and collector mostly Byzantine items and do enjoy the feel of a book so to speak, i will keep an eye out and no doubt eventually i may well stumble upon a full set for sale.

I do enjoy the Iconography of the saints for all items.  Is there a list of Saints found on Byzantine Seals.

Regards

Alan

[Gert]

Hi Alan,
Well, if you like the feel of a book, then you should definitely look for these books. They are beautifully published.

A good place to start is Cotsonis, J. The Contribution of Byzantine Lead Seals to the Study of the Cult of the Saints (Sixth-Twelfth Century) – Byzantion, LXXV, (2005) 383-497. The article in available on JSTOR.

There is no comprehensive list of Saints for the simple reason that new images continue to show up.
Regards
Gert