Antiquities Discussion Forums > Seals and Tesserae

Byzantine Seal #2

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Magistros:
Hi, would anyone have any ideas as to a reading of the legend on this 12th century (?) seal? Unfortunately it’s quite worn. On the obverse is the Virgin Mary, on the reverse I can make out:

+CΘΡΑ
ΓΙC….
THN…
….
…KWM (?)….

Thanks

Magistros:
Photos of the reverse

iolkia:
Hello,

My guess would be: "CΦΡΑΓΙC ΕΙΜΙ ΤΗΝ ΓΡΑΦΗΝ..." I am the seal ... the writing. Perhaps "I am the seal I guard the writing". But I can't read anything after the N in the fourth line.

Regards,
Iolkia

Gert:
Yes, I think this seal has an anonymous legend. Expected would be OV (two letters or the ligature) at the start, "whose" to compose a legend that translates along the lines of "whose seal I am - look at the document to know". Several verbs are used in these legends, that are always 12-syllables.
Gert

Magistros:
Thanks Gert and Iolkia! Would it be correct to date this seal to the 11th/12th century?

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