Anonymous, circa 10th century. Amulet (Lead, 27 mm, 8.18 g), Saint Theophano womb or "hystera" amulet. A/Γ/H/A - ...OΦ/AU/N Saint Theophano standing facing, her hands raised in prayer. Rev. C-Є-Φ-Γ-Z-Ξ Womb symbol: facing head in center, from which seven serpents originate towards the border; below, cross; all in border decorated with pearls and squares. Ioli Kalavrezou, Byzantine Women and Their World (Cambridge, MA, 2003), p. 291 and figures 172a and 172b. Leu Web Auction 17 (2021), 3292 (fragmentary). The obverse corroded, otherwise, very fine.


The empress Theophano, wife of Leo VI the Wise (886-912) was revered as a saint, particularly by women seeking intervention on matters of pregnancy and childbirth. Her cult is attested from the middle of the 10th century onwards. Several amulets survive, combining her image with a 'womb symbol' on the reverse - a central head with serpents around, known from several other types of magical amulet.