Byzantine Lead Lead Seal - 30 mm
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Byzantine lead seal (bulla) of Michael Saronites, an 11th‑century AD piece, 30 mm in diameter and 30 mm high with a weight of 46.25 g, featuring Saint Michael on the obverse and a six‑line Greek inscription on the reverse, original/official and acquired in 2025 from Spain (DO Seals 1, no. 1.20a; accession BZS.1951.31.5.498).
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Extremely Rare Byzantine Lead Seal of Michael Saronites
Object: Byzantine Lead Seal / Bulla
Period: Byzantine Empire, Medieval Period
Material: Lead
Weight: 46.25 g
Diameter: 30 mm
Reference: DO Seals 1, no. 1.20a
Accession Number: BZS.1951.31.5.498
Period: Byzantine Empire, 11th century AD (c. 1050–1100 AD)
Obverse
Saint Michael standing and holding a sceptre and globus. Faint traces of the inscription M-X: M(I)X(AHΛ) can be seen. The design is surrounded by a border of dots.
Reverse
A six-line Greek inscription, preceded by a cross and surrounded by a dotted border.
Inscription:
Κ(ύρι)[ε] β(οή)θ(ει) Μιχ(αήλ)
μ[α]γίστρω (καὶ) δουκὶ πάσης
Δύσεω[ς] τῷ Σαρ(ω)νίτη.
Translation:
“Lord, help Michael Saronites, magistros and doux of all the West.”
Historical Significance
An EXTREMELY RARE Byzantine seal associated with Michael Saronites, bearing the prestigious titles Magistros and Doux of all the West.
The Dumbarton Oaks catalogue discusses the possible identification of the owner as Michael Saronites, who may have held the position of Katepano of Bulgaria before subsequently acquiring the titles recorded on the seal. The catalogue also considers the possibility that he may have been the same Saronites associated with the suppression of the revolt of Constantine Bodin in 1072.
The seal is recorded in the scholarly corpus of Byzantine seals as DO Seals 1, no. 1.20a, making it a particularly important piece for the study of Byzantine military and administrative history.
Bibliography
Catalogue of the Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and at the Fogg Museum of Art, Vol. 1: Italy, North of the Balkans, North of the Black Sea.
Acquired in 2025 from NUMIMANICA PRADOS, Spain, at the Madrid Numismatic Fair held on 27 June 2025.
Provenance:
Acquired in 2025 from NUMIMANICA PRADOS, Spain, at the Madrid Numismatic Fair held on 27 June 2025.
Provenance:
The piece was previously part of a private collection in Spain, where it had been acquired from an art gallery in 1987.
This rare piece is accompanied by the original purchase invoice, Certificate of Authenticity, and Spanish Export Certificate.
Extremely Rare Byzantine Lead Seal of Michael Saronites
Object: Byzantine Lead Seal / Bulla
Period: Byzantine Empire, Medieval Period
Material: Lead
Weight: 46.25 g
Diameter: 30 mm
Reference: DO Seals 1, no. 1.20a
Accession Number: BZS.1951.31.5.498
Period: Byzantine Empire, 11th century AD (c. 1050–1100 AD)
Obverse
Saint Michael standing and holding a sceptre and globus. Faint traces of the inscription M-X: M(I)X(AHΛ) can be seen. The design is surrounded by a border of dots.
Reverse
A six-line Greek inscription, preceded by a cross and surrounded by a dotted border.
Inscription:
Κ(ύρι)[ε] β(οή)θ(ει) Μιχ(αήλ)
μ[α]γίστρω (καὶ) δουκὶ πάσης
Δύσεω[ς] τῷ Σαρ(ω)νίτη.
Translation:
“Lord, help Michael Saronites, magistros and doux of all the West.”
Historical Significance
An EXTREMELY RARE Byzantine seal associated with Michael Saronites, bearing the prestigious titles Magistros and Doux of all the West.
The Dumbarton Oaks catalogue discusses the possible identification of the owner as Michael Saronites, who may have held the position of Katepano of Bulgaria before subsequently acquiring the titles recorded on the seal. The catalogue also considers the possibility that he may have been the same Saronites associated with the suppression of the revolt of Constantine Bodin in 1072.
The seal is recorded in the scholarly corpus of Byzantine seals as DO Seals 1, no. 1.20a, making it a particularly important piece for the study of Byzantine military and administrative history.
Bibliography
Catalogue of the Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and at the Fogg Museum of Art, Vol. 1: Italy, North of the Balkans, North of the Black Sea.
Acquired in 2025 from NUMIMANICA PRADOS, Spain, at the Madrid Numismatic Fair held on 27 June 2025.
Provenance:
Acquired in 2025 from NUMIMANICA PRADOS, Spain, at the Madrid Numismatic Fair held on 27 June 2025.
Provenance:
The piece was previously part of a private collection in Spain, where it had been acquired from an art gallery in 1987.
This rare piece is accompanied by the original purchase invoice, Certificate of Authenticity, and Spanish Export Certificate.
Details
Culture
Byzantine
Century/timeframe
11th century AD (c. 1050–1100 AD)
Name of object
Lead Seal
Acquired from
Auction house
Year acquired
2025
Material
Lead
Country acquired from
Spain
Condition
Excellent
Previous owner acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Height
30 mm
Previous owner - year acquired
1987
Width
30 mm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Spain
Depth
30 mm
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
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The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
