Theodora Doukaina Palaiologina, 1259-1282. Seal (Lead, 40 mm, 46.54 g, 12 h). MHP - ΘV The Mother of God, nimbate, seated facing on a backless and cushioned throne, holding a nimbate infant Christ on her knees. Rev. ΘЄ/[O]ΔⲰ/PA ЄV/CЄBЄ/CTATH / AVΓ૪/CTA - Δ૪/KAI/NA H / ΠAΛAI/OΛO/ΓINA Theodora standing facing, wearing crown and loros, holding jeweled trefoil scepter. Seibt/Zarnitz 1.3.3. Zacos/Veglery 122a. A massive late imperial seal with a magnificent depiction of the Mother of God. Surface cracks, otherwise, extremely fine.



Theodora Doukaina Palaiologina, orphaned at a young age, was the great-niece of the Nicaean emperor John III Doukas Vatatzes (r. 1221–1254). She was raised by the emperor, who is said to have loved her as a daughter. Her husband, Michael Palaiologos, became emperor after John’s death in 1254 and would go on to expel the Latins from Constantinople, restoring the Byzantine Empire to its ancient capital.

Theodora was a notable patron of monastic foundations, most famously the Lips Monastery in Constantinople, where she was buried in 1304. She also supported the arts and sciences and is known to have commissioned a Greek translation of a Persian treatise on geometry.