Seal of George, apo eparchon, with the Bust of St. Demetrios

Creator

Preview

Creation Date

7th–8th centuries

Geography

Eastern Mediterranean; perhaps Thessaloniki, Greece

Culture

Byzantine

Medium

Lead

Dimensions

Diameter: 1 ¹/₈ in. (2.9 cm)

Weight: 0.75 oz. (21.1 g)

Credit Line

Bequest of David P. Harris ('46), 2020

Accession Number

2020.116

Provenance

Purchased by David P. Harris from Julia Schottlander (Tetragon) in London on October 22, 1994 in a set of four seals. Julia Schottlander (b. 1955), was a dealer in antiquities who sold under the name Tetragon beginning in the 1980s, and was primarily active in the 1990s and early 2000s. Schottlander has sold objects, particularly bronzes and artifacts from ancient Greece and Egypt, to the British Museum as well as auction sites like VCoin Dealers and Roseberys London. Provenance for the object cannot be confirmed beyond Tetragon. As we cannot trace the previous owner or findspot, we cannot confirm how the object fits within AAM, AAMD and 1970 UNESCO Convention standards, or if it follows any bilateral agreements or cultural property laws that may have been set by the probable country of modern discovery.

Condition

Most of the inscriptions are intact, but some exhibit wear. The markings in the upper left quadrant are faded, due either to the original stamping process or time. The edges of the seal are also unevenly rounded, and it is also unclear if that is how it was made or due to breakage over time. September 2022. - Molly Moran ('23)

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Obverse: The Greek naming inscription is placed to the left and right side of the saint's head:

Ⓐ ΔΗ

Ὁ ἅ(γιος) Δη(μήτριος)

"St. Demetrios"

Obverse: The first two words of the invocational inscription are placed on left and right side of the saint's torso:

[Θ]Ε

[Ο]Τ

ΟΚΕ

ΒΟΗ

ΘΗ

Θεοτόκε βοήθει

"Theotokos, help"

Reverse: The inscription on the reverse continues the invocation on the front, and names the official of this seal:

Γ+[ΕΩ]

ΡΓΙΩΑΠ[Ο]

ΕΠΑΡΧΟΝ[Κ]

ΑΡΧΟΝΤ[Ι]

Γεωργίῳ ἀπὸ ἐπάρχων (καὶ) ἄρχοντ(ι)

"George the apo eparchon and archon."

Description

This lead seal, as small as a quarter, is a pale off-white color and has rough, uneven edges. It has an image on the front and inscriptions on both sides. This seal would have been used in Byzantine society to stamp letters, acting as an identifier of the sender as well as a marker of power and status. The design is bordered by a dotted ring which is cut off or faded in the upper left quadrant. The front of the seal is dominated by an image of Saint Demetrios, patron saint of Thessaloniki, a populous city of the Byzantine Empire, holding a cross, placed off-center and to the left. A Greek inscription on either side of the image informs us of his identity. Below the image, another Greek inscription reads “Theotokos, help”, which refers to Mary, the Mother of God and calls upon her aid. The back of the seal contains another Greek inscription also enclosed by a dotted border. This inscription tells us who is seeking the aid of the Mother of God. The lines read “George apo eparchon and archon”, identifying the owner and his title, which reveals him to have been a public official who would have supervised state workshops, toll collection, or notaries. The title apo eparchon also points us to a possible creation date for the object, as it was most commonly used in the seventh century. Additionally, the title “archon” suggests that George also held the position of governor.

Molly Moran ('23) for ARHS 291 Museum Object (Fall 2022).

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This rough circular-shaped lead seal possesses a white-cream color. The upper half of the seal features the bust of St. Demetrios, off-center to the left. St. Demetrios was a military saint and is the patron saint of Thessaloniki, as this was the place of his martyrdom. He was also later credited in miracle stories with protecting Thessaloniki from the threat of invaders. The medieval Greek inscription on the left and right of the saint’s torso reads “Theotokos, help.” This is asking for the Mother of God’s protection and blessing. A decorative wreath encircles the perimeter, resembling the style of other seals dating back to the seventh century.

On the back of the seal, the decorative wreath continues to follow the outer edges. The inscription identifies the owner and his status: “George apo eparchon and archon.” Apo eparchon is an honorific title reserved for public officers who supervise state workshops, toll collection, or notaries. Moreover, the usage of the title apo eparchon was most prevalent in the 7th century, which could indicate that the seal originated from this time period. George also held the title of archon, which signifies the high position of governor.

People of all walks of life in the Byzantine Empire utilized seals to spread information through letters. These seals identified the sender and ensured that the letter had not been tampered with. A lead seal was made by threading a string through an open channel in a blank round lead disc then pressing that disc in a die that was inscribed with the user's name. The result was a stamped seal, secured to a string that was connected to a document. Byzantine society used lead seals as another way to convey social strata based upon the images, iconography, and inscriptions present.

The portrayal of St. Demetrios is relevant to George’s position in government, due to the saint’s military and protective status. Furthermore, the saint’s cult popularity in the 7th century, and close ties to Thessaloniki, may suggest George’s location. The seal of Peter, archbishop of Thessaloniki, at Dumbarton Oaks (BZS.1951.31.5.1307), also features St. Demetrios. Both George and Peter’s usage of St. Demetrios on their seal may indicate the saint’s popularity with people in positions of power, and its unique relation to Thessaloniki. The seal of Peter also represents what a religious seal would look like in Byzantine society. The monogram at the center is reminiscent of a cross and another clue of his high social status, religious position, and devotion.

The seal of Markellia at Dumbarton Oaks (BZS.1955.1.4533) is also a religious seal that possesses a monogram. It manages to simultaneously incorporate both her identity as a woman and her successful religious career. The front of the seal portrays the Virgin Hodegetria which means “she who shows the way” and is a Byzantine name for a ceremonial image of the Virgin and the Christ Child. A halo circles the Virgin’s head and in her left arm, she cradles the infant Son of God. Christ is also adorned by a halo. The monogram reads "hegoumena of the monastery of Theodore", which indicates her authoritative position in the monastery. Overall, the more power one obtains, the more the design of the seal begins to deviate, as the use of monograms indicates higher status.

A seal for a butcher named Anastasios, also at Dumbarton Oaks (BZS.1951.31.5.2555), provides an example of a working-class Byzantine. The seal focuses on the mere essentials, as it simply states his identity, and asks for a very commonplace prayer of protection. Anastasios’s lead seal, in its simplicity and lack of stylistic or iconographic elements, represents his lack of high-ranking social status.

The highest power in the Byzantine hierarchy is the Emperor, and the presentation of his seal at Dumbarton Oaks (BZS.1951.31.5.1640) represents that power and influence. Constantine IV depicts his ultimate authority through his lead seal. The front features a bust of himself with his head slightly angled. He wears his hair in a long curled style. The Emperor is pictured wearing a cuirass and chlamys. In his right hand, he holds a spear behind his head, while a shield decorated with a horse lays on his left shoulder. He intentionally paints himself as heroic through his youthful, military imagery. On the back, he replaces the typical iconography of the Virgin with the cross potent. The cross serves as a victory motif and symbolizes Christ’s triumph over death. Constantine IV could also be attempting to emphasize his connection with earlier well-regarded Emperors like Constantine the Great, who started the trend of associating the cross with victory after the famous Battle of Milvian Bridge. Constantine IV uses his imperial power to portray himself as a charismatic and heroic emperor, attempting to imitate the greatness of the original Constantine. By drawing out these similarities between the two rulers he hopes to convey and cement his legitimacy and adequacy to rule. Additionally, another indication of his influence and power is that, unlike all the other seals, he does not need to identify who he is for people to be aware.

As a whole, lead seals paint an insightful picture of the social identity and positions their owners held.

Sources Consulted
Dumbarton Oaks, Online Catalogue of Byzantine Seals, https://www.doaks.org/resources/seals.

Alexander P. Kazhdan, ed, Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991).

Asen Kirin, ed. Sacred Art, Secular Context: Objects of Art from the Byzantine Collection of Dumbarton Oaks, Washington, DC (Athens, GA: Georgia Museum of Art, 2005).

Nicolas Oikonomides, Byzantine Lead Seals (Washington, DC: Dumbarton Oaks, 1985).

Gary Vikan and John Nesbitt, Security in Byzantium: Locking, Sealing, and Weighing (Washington, DC: Dumbarton Oaks, 1980).

Maya Virdell ('24) for ARHS 110 Introduction to Western Art (Spring 2021).