Seal of the emperor Manuel I Komnenosshow empty fields
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    SigiDoc ID: s-5YKsVP

    Artifact

    Type
    Seal
    Matrix
    SigiDoc ID: m-6nCu40 - PBW ID: boulloterion 2969

    Physical description

    Medium
    Original impression
    Material
    Lead
    Shape
    Round
    Dimensions (mm)
    Diam. 35
    Weight (g)
    ―
    Channel orientation (clock)
    ―
    Axis (clock)
    ―
    Overstrike orientation (clock)
    ―
    Execution
    Struck
    Countermark
    ―
    Condition
    Heavily trimmed on the right side.

    Dating

    Date
    1068-1071
    Internal date
    ―
    Dating criteria
    Prosopography, Iconography, Reign
    Alternative date
    ―

    History

    Category
    Imperial
    Issuer
    Manuel I Komnenos(PBW: Manuel 1)
    Milieu: Imperial
    Gender: Male
    Place of origin
    ―
    Find place
    ―
    Find date
    ―
    Find circumstances
    ―
    Modern location
    Paris (France)
    Institution and repository
    Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Département des Monnaies, médailles et antiques
    Collection and inventory
    Henri Seyrig Collection 137
    Acquisition

    donation by Henri Seyrig.

    Previous locations

    According to a note by Seyrig, the seal was acquired in Cairo from Nahman, who described it as a copy, which indeed it appears to be.

    Modern observations
    ―

    Obverse

    Language(s)
    Greek
    Layout of field
    Iconography with legend in columns.
    Field dimensions (mm)
    ―
    Matrix
    ―
    Iconography
    Bust of Christ (type Emmanuel), with a cruciger nimbus, offering a blessing with his right hand and holding a scroll in his left hand.
    Decoration
    ―
    Epigraphy
    ―

    Reverse

    Language(s)
    Greek
    Layout of field
    Iconography with circular legend.
    Field dimensions (mm)
    ―
    Matrix
    ―
    Iconography
    The emperor is represented, standing, frontally, wearing the stemma; he is dressed with the loros and holds in his right hand the labarum and in his left hand the akakia.
    Decoration
    ―
    Epigraphy
    ―

    Images

    Seyrig 8 (Inv. 137), obverse.
    Seyrig 8 (Inv. 137), reverse.

    Edition

    Interpretive

    obv
    a[Ἰ](ησοῦ)ς bΧ(ριστό)ς
    obv
    c[ὁ Ἐ]μμα dνουήλ
    rev
    1Μανουὴλ δεσπότης [ὁ πορφυρογέννητος]

    Diplomatic

    obv
    a.Σ bΧ̅Σ
    obv
    c..ΜΜ̣Α dΝΗΛ̣
    rev
    1ΜΑΝΗΛΔΕΣΠΟΤΗΣ................

    Legend and translation

    Ἰησοῦς Χριστός ὁ Ἐμμανουήλ. / Μανουὴλ δεσπότης ὁ πορφυρογέννητος.

    Jesus Christ Emmanuel. Manuel despotes, the porphyrogennetos.

    References

    Edition(s)
    Cheynet, Morrisson, Seibt, coll. Seyrig, 1991, p. 24, no. 8.
    Parallel(s)
    Médailler Pontifical, Vatican, Rome, Laurent, coll. Vatican, p. 9-10, no. 13 ; Zacos, 1, p. 96-97, no. 107a; Münzkabinett des Kunsthistorischen Museums, Vienne, MK 716 = BBÖ, 1, p. 106-108, no. 29b.
    Further references
    No further references