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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Byzantine Coins| ▸ |Byzantine Seals||View Options:   | | | During the Byzantine period, lead bullae (singular, Bulla) were widely used to seal and identify the sender of correspondence and containers in shipment. An iron, pliers-shaped instrument, a boulloterion, was used to impress the designs on a lead bulla seal. After the cord was wrapped around the package or document and the ends inserted in a channel in the blank seal, the seal was placed between the disc shaped engraved dies on the jaws of a boulloterion. The boulloterion had a projection above the jaws, which was struck with a hammer to impress the design on the seal and close the channel around the two ends of the cord. With a bulla in place a container cannot be violated without visible damage to either the bulla or the cord, ensuring the contents remain tamper-proof until they reach their destination. |
The obverse seal depicts Gabriel announcing the birth of Jesus to the Virgin. The episode was known to the Byzantines as the "Chairetismos." The inscriptions are not legible but a similar type has the obverse inscription: XAIPE KAIXAPITWMNH O KC META (Greetings, you who are highly favored! the Lord is with you).BZ97902. Lead seal, unpublished in references held by Forum; see Cotsonis for a list of 54 Byzantine seals of The Annunciation, VF/F, a remarkable large seal with very large high relief figures, weight 39.740 g, maximum diameter 38.3 mm, c. 11th - 12th century A.D.; obverse The Annunciation: the Virgin standing facing on the right, nimbate and raising her right hand with the palm turned outwards; the angel Gabriel on the left, nimbate, advancing towards the Virgin, raising his right hand, scepter in his left hand; reverse inscriptions in 7 lines; Byzantine seals depicting The Annunciation are very rare; SOLD
Byzantine, 11th - 12th Century A.D.
BZ92112. Lead seal, Uncertain, aVF, tan surfaces, modified seal cut in the shape of a fish, the cutting, however, obscures much of the reverse inscription, obverse The Theotokos (Virgin Mary) standing facing, orans, MP - ΘV (Greek abbr.: MΗTΗP ΘΕOY - Mother of God) flanking across field; reverse Inscription; ex CNG e-auction 233 (26 May 2010), lot 571 (realized $390 plus fees); SOLD
Byzantine Lead Bulla Seal, Sergios Mesopotamites, Late 11th - Early 12th Century
The first part of the inscription reads "Graphas sphragizo kai logous" - "I seal the writings and words of..." The last lines read the well-known family name "Mesopotamites," with eta for iota. The personal name is most likely Sergios, with one C shared by both logous and Sergios.
The Mesopotamitai were a prominent Byzantine family in the late 12th and early 13th century. They originated either from Mesopotamos (in modern Albania) or some place called Mesopotamia. Sergios was likely related to Constantine Mesopotamite, the de facto chief minister under emperors Isaac II Angelos and Alexius III Angelos (1193 - summer 1197) and the archbishop of Thessalonica (c. 1197 - 1227, but in exile 1204 - 1224, when the city was occupied by Latin Crusaders).AS63897. Lead bulla (tag seal), unpublished in references examined by Forum; DOCBS -, Zacos BLS -, Zacos -, Jordanov -, gVF, high relief, attractive patina, weight 4.861 g, maximum diameter 16.0 mm, die axis 0o, obverse facing bust of the Virgin Orans, nimbate, wearing pallium and maphorium, MP - ΘV (Greek abbreviation: Μητηρ Θεου; - Mother of God) across field; reverse ΓPA(phas) / CΦPAΓI(zo) / S ΛOΓOU(c) CE[P]/ΓIOTOU M[E]/COΠOTA/MHTOU (S abbreviates KAI and the OU's are ligate); SOLD
Jewish, Lead Menorah Bulla Seal, 7 Branched Menorah on Each Side, c. 6th - 10th Century A.D.
A bulla (plural, bullae), is a lump of clay or lead molded around a cord and stamped with a seal that identifies the sender. With a bulla in place a container cannot be violated without visible damage to either the bulla or the cord, thereby ensuring the contents remain tamper-proof until they reach their destination.JD34522. Menorah bulla seal, weight 11.1 g, maximum diameter 16.9 mm, 8.9 mm thick; rare; SOLD
Byzantine Lead Bulla Seal, John Melek, 12th - 13th Century A.D.
A number of Byzantine dignitaries in 13th and 14th centuries shared the patronym Melek but they probably were not all from the same family. The name is foreign and perhaps derived from the Seljuk name malik, meaning prince. Presumably John Melek was a Seljuk prince who converted, was baptized adopting the name John, and served the Empire.
The office and title of the owner is not included in the inscription, which during the period, was a common practice of the representatives of noble ruling families.
The owner of the seal might be a certain John Melek associated with the stay of the army headed by Emperor Manuel I Komnenos in Beroe in 1155/1156.
A 13th century possiblity, is that the owner was one of the sons of the sultan Izedin, who after their father escaped captivity, were baptized and served in army of the Empire with the patronym Melek.
SH58238. Lead bulla (tag seal), Jordanov 456 (Historical Museum, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, no. 10 C3-11, found in the town); DOCBS -, Choice, near complete imprint, weight 17.593 g, maximum diameter 26.9 mm, obverse half-length figure of Virgin Orans standing facing, nimbate, hands raised, medallion of the infant Christ on breast, MP - ΘV (Greek abbreviation: Μητηρ Θεου; - Mother of God) across field; reverse IWANHN / CKEΠOIC ME / MEΛHK / KOPH in four lines across field; large, high-relief seal; SOLD
Constantine the Great, Early 307 - 22 May 337 A.D., Imperial Lead Bulla Seal
AS38022. Lead bulla (tag seal), Boersema-Dalzell 134, VF, weight 16.211 g, maximum diameter 19.8 mm, obverse laureate and draped bust of Constantine the Great right; reverse chestnut shaped; SOLD
Byzantine Empire, Lead Bulla Seal, Leo Nikerites, Doux, 11th - 12th Century A.D.
There is much we could say about this Byzantine eunuch general who served under Emperor Alexios I Komnenos. On our seal, the title of doux (from which English "duke" is derived) was just one of many high-ranking positions enjoyed by Nikerites during his long career, which included posts in the Peloponnese (as anagrapheus), Bulgaria, & Cyprus. However, for our current infatuation in solar eclipses, this anecdote from Anna Komnene's Alexiad overshadows all others!
"In the course of the discussion a certain Nicolas, one of the Emperor's [Alexios'] secretaries, came up to him and whispered in his ear, 'You may expect an eclipse of the sun to take place today [16 February 1086],' and on the Emperor's expressing a doubt, he swore with an oath that he was not lying. Then the Emperor, with his habitual quick-wittedness, turned to the Scythians and said, 'I appoint God as judge; and if a sign appears in the heavens this day, you will know for a surety that I have good reason for suspecting, and therefore not receiving, your embassy because your leaders are not sincere in their overtures for peace. If, however, no sign appears, I shall stand convicted of having been wrong in my surmise.' Before two hours had passed, the light of the sun failed, and the whole of its disc was darkened by the moon's passing over it. At that sight the Scythians were terrified, and the Emperor handed them over to Leo Nicerites (he was a eunuch, brought up among the soldiers from babyhood, and much respected) and ordered him to take a sufficient guard and conduct them to the Queen of Cities. And Leo started very willingly on the road to Constantinople. But the barbarians who were throughout intent on regaining their liberty, slew the guards who were keeping a very careless watch over them when they reached little Nicaea, and returned by devious paths to those who had sent them. Nicerites with three others escaped with difficulty and rejoined the Emperor at Goloë."BZ113298. Lead bulla (tag seal), DOCBS Online BZS.1951.31.5.1259 (same boulloterion or dies); Wassiliou-Seibt BSML II 2526; CGB Istanbul 2.204; Seibt BBÖ I p. 226, 10, VF, uneven, off-centered impression, uniform yellow oxide patina with spots of roughness, remnants of channel for cord visible, weight 10.582 g, maximum diameter 22.1 mm, c. 1100 A.D.; obverse [CΦΓA]/ΓIC Λ[E]/ONTO[C] (sic!; "Seal of Leo/Leon") in three lines, a cross above (off blank), all within dotted border; reverse ΔOV/KOC TOV / [N]IKEPI/TOV (of Duke Nikerites) in three lines within dotted border; ex Time Machine, with a historical connection between Nikerites and a solar eclipse!; very rare; $180.00 (€0) ON RESERVE
Theodosius I, 19 January 379 - 17 January 395 A.D.
This type of lead conical bulla seal is commonly attributed to Theodosius I with his sons, Arcadius and Honorius. While the attribution is not certain, there is reason behind it. The form is correct for the period and the type is very common for a seal. Forum has handled a few examples and there are at least four on Coin Archives. The large number of specimens supports attribution to the emperor, in whose name there was a lot of correspondence. Theodosius and his two sons are the best imperial fit for these three facing busts.AS89555. Lead bulla (tag seal), conical type, commonly attributed to Theodosius I and his sons Arcadius and Honorius, VF, gray and buff surfaces, weight 9.316 g, maximum diameter 18.0 mm, obverse three bare-headed and draped busts facing, center bust larger, two flanking busts smaller; reverse domed back, pierced for the cord; ex CNG e-auction 233 (26 May 2010), lot 504; SOLD
Byzantine Empire, Lead Bulla Seal, Michael Skleros, Protoproedros and Anagrapheus of Drougoubiteia, Late 11th Century
The online Dumbarton Oaks database of Byzantine seals gives a full translation for our seal: "Theotokos ["God-Bearer," i.e. the Mother of God], help Michael Skleros, protoproedros and anagrapheus of Drougoubiteia." The Skleroi were a famous Byzantine noble family, attested from the 9th to 14th century A.D., who managed to fill a long line of important military (and gradually civilian) posts under the empire. Although traditionally regarded as being of Armenian origin, the family surname, Skleros, is Greek for "hard/severe" or "pertinacious." Their most famous (or notorious) family member, Bardas Skleros, led an impressive rebellion against Basil II from 976-979 that ultimately proved unsuccessful. Our Michael's jurisdiction over a mysterious administrative unit known as Drougoubiteia, apparently sandwiched between the themes of Thessalonica and Strymon, has been a source of interest among Byzantine scholars. According to the authors of DOCBS 1, who summarized Nicolas Oikonomidès' reasoning in his book, Les listes de préséance Byzantines des IXe et Xe siècles (1972), "the term Drougoubiteia indicates a large zone surrounding Thessalonica from west to east and inhabited mainly by Slavs [the Drougoubitai in this case], who were eventually placed under the command of an archon."BZ113297. Lead bulla (tag seal), DOCBS 1.21a-1.21c (same boulloterion dies); Siebt Skleroi p. 99, 24a (= DOCBS 1.21a-1.21b), VF, even chalky yellow surfaces, slightly off-centered, voids on upper obv. and reverse, remnants of channel for cord at bottom, weight 7.956 g, maximum diameter 23.5 mm, die axis 0o, c. 1080 - 1090 A.D.; obverse facing nimbate bust of the Virgin Mary in the Orans position (hands raised in prayer), wearing chiton and maphorion, medallion of the infant Christ on breast, +ΘKE - ROHΘ clockwise above (B shaped as R), MP - ΘV (Greek abbreviation: Μητηρ Θεου - Mother of God) flanking across field; reverse Greek inscription in six lines; MIXAHΛ / ATΠPOEΔPW / KAI ANAΓPA/ΦEVC ΔPOYΓOY/RITIAC TW / CKΛHP; (B shaped as R, 'OY's ligate); ex Clayton Rare Coins (Clayton MO); rare; $150.00 (€0) ON RESERVE
Byzantine Empire, Lead Bulla Seal, c. 5th - 12th Century
During the late Roman and Byzantine periods, lead bullae (singular, Bulla) were widely used to seal and identify the sender of correspondence and containers in shipment. An iron, pliers-shaped instrument, a boulloterion, was used to impress the designs on a lead bulla seal. After the cord was wrapped around the package or document and the ends inserted in a channel in the blank seal, the seal was placed between the disk shaped engraved dies on the jaws of a boulloterion. The boulloterion had a projection above the jaws, which was struck with a hammer to impress the design on the seal and close the channel around the two ends of the cord. With a bulla in place a container cannot be violated without visible damage to either the bulla or the cord, ensuring the contents remain tamper-proof until they reach their destination.BZ93559. Lead bulla (tag seal), gVF, earthen deposits, weight 6.172 g, maximum diameter 27.9 mm, die axis 0o, c. 5th - 12th century; obverse IC - XC (Greek abbreviation: Jesus Christ), nimbate bust of Christ facing; reverse six line Greek inscription; from the Errett Bishop Collection; SOLD
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