Tzorbaneles (Georgian Čordvanel), topoteretes, 11th century. Seal (Lead, 29 mm, 16.72 g, 12 h). O / Γ/Є-Ⲱ/P/Γ, Nimbate facing bust of Saint George, holding a spear over his right shoulder, and resting a shield on his left arm. Rev. +KЄ R,Θ, / TⲰ CⲰ Δ૪, / TζOPRANЄ/Λ, ΠPI S TO/Π,T,PHT, in five lines. Unpublished in the standard references. An interesting seal of a Georgian military commander. Good very fine.



The name Čordvanel is of Iberian origin. It appears most notably in the family of Johannes Tornikios, one of the generals of David III, the kouropalates and prince of Tao (966-1001). The owner of this seal may well have belonged to this illustrious aristocratic family. Two seals bearing the name are of particular note: that of Čordvanel Semranisdze, patrikios (Berlin II 415), and that of Čordvanel Abuharb, who held the titles of protospatharios and strategos (Jordanov, Corpus II 46-48). Like the latter, our Čordvanel also served in the Byzantine administration, acting as a high-ranking military officer.