Theodoros Bourtzes, patrikios and topoteretes, second half 11th century. Seal (Lead, 27 mm, 10.65 g, 12 h). In center field, Θ Saint Theodore, on the left, and Saint George, on the right, standing facing, nimbate, both wearing military attire and holding spears in their right hands, transversely towards each other; Saint Theodore resting his left hand on large shield, Saint George holding shield on his left arm. Rev. +KЄ R'Θ' / [Θ]ЄOΔⲰP / ΠPK TΠTЄ... / TO R૪PT/ZH in five lines. Cheynet, Société p. 362-363 (Theodoros Bourtzes 18, quoting an unpublished seal in Dumbarton Oaks). Minor flatness, otherwise, very fine.



Our seal secures Cheynet's first suggestion in his edition of the poorly preserved parellel example in Dumbarton Oaks: Theodore was topoteretes, rather than katepano. As the line above the letters makes clear, the letter K is part of the abbreviation ΠPK for patrikios.