Niketas Dalassenos, first half of the 12th century. Seal (Lead, 25 mm, 11.70 g, 11 h). MHP - ΘV Nimbate Mother of God 'Episkepsis', raising both hands in prayer, medallion of Christ in front. Rev. CKЄΠIC / MЄ TON CON / ΔAΛACH/NON NIKH/TA ('May you protect me, your Niketas Dalassenos') in five lines. Cheynet, Istanbul 7.33. Wassiliou-Seibt, Corpus 2113. A well-preserved seal of a member of the famous Dalassenos family. Minor roughness. Very fine.


There is one parallel example to this seal in Istanbul, but in its initial publication, the personal name was read as Demetrios, while our seal confirms the corrected reading of Niketas, as was proposed by Werner Seibt and followed in subsequent editions by Cheynet and Wassiliou-Seibt. The owner of this seal is the only known Niketas of the well-known aristocratic family of the Dalassenoi, but unfortunately there is no further trace of him in history.