Interesting High Relief Seal with St. Paul? In Profile Bust Right

[pogh_poor]

I just acquired an interesting seal with a saint in profile to the right.  Could this be St Paul?  It is in high relief and very handsome.  It measures approximately 17mm and weighs 5.65g.  I am still working on the cruciform monogram.  Is the profile bust relatively uncommon?  Pogh_poor  

[v-drome]

Hi Pogh, very interesting seal, and apparently rare.  Here is a similar one from Gert's website with Mother and Child in profile.  I bet he will have something to say, soon.

Regards, Jimi.

https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/gert_boersema/25/product/theodoros_byzantine_lead_seal_c_6th_century_ad__profile_bust_of_the_virgin/522487/Default.aspx

[Gert]

Yes, it is highly unusual to encounter a profile bust. One type of profile bust that is relatively common is a double confronted bust type of Sts Peter and Paul. Yours may have Saint Paul, with the balding head but I don't think you can be certain of that. There's no A in the monogram, so the seal's owner can't be named as such.

Looking at the monogram, there's more on the left side than you draw. A T? Or a Pi? Or both of course. If there would be have been A, it would be beneath the omega. Also, on the right, I think that's more likely a K, not X.

Regards
Gert

[pogh_poor]

Gert, I think that you are correct.  I am giving this unusual seal more study.  It looks as if it dates from the 7th Century - do you think so too?  Pogh_poor

[Gert]

Maybe he was a bishop (episkopou). These are hard to date. I guess it could also be 6th century.
Regards
Gert

[pogh_poor]

Here is a more accurate drawing of the  cruciform monogram 
poor_pogh









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[pogh_poor]

An individual at Dumbarton Oaks is reviewing this interesting seal at the moment.  He has commented my rendition of the monogram seems correct and there is "τ, υ, θ (probably doing double duty as o so that we can have a genitive ending), ρ, ε, κ, ω there might be a γ hiding in the epsilon. "  He might be able to provide further insight as to a possible resolution of the monogram.  Pogh_poor

[Gert]

I think you will have no certainty without a parallel. On the left, there may be another vertical line adding a Pi. On the right, I am pretty sure we have a K in sigma. Below the omega, there may even be an alpha or a combined alpha/delta...

Regards
Gert