Apnelgaripes, magistros (Abul-Gharib Artsruni), second half of the 11th century. Seal (Lead, 29 mm, 15.83 g, 12 h). Θ / Γ[ЄⲰP] - ΓI/O/C Saint George, nimbate, standing facing, holding spear in his right hand and resting his left on shield.
Rev. +KЄ ROH/ΘЄI TⲰ C[Ⲱ] / ΔOVΛ[Ⲱ AΠ]/NЄΛΓP[IΠH] / MΓIT[PⲰ] in five lines. Leu Web Auction 16 (2021), 4133. Metcalf, Cyprus, 227 var. (legend). Seyrig 40 var. (same). Spink 132 (2nd Zacos sale), 117 var. (same). Zacos II 362 var. (same). An important seal of an 11th century Armenian nobleman. Breakage around the edges
, otherwise, very fine.
From a European collection, acquired before 2021.
Apnelgaripes can be identified with the Armenian nobleman Abul-Gharib Artsruni, son of Hasan. His family was closely associated with the family of Senacherim Johannes, prince of Vaspurakan. Although being of high Armenian descent, Apnelgaripes adhered to Byzantine orthodoxy and served the emperor, Michael VII, as governor of Cilicia. One of his daughters married David, son of Gagik II, the last king of Ani. Another of his daughters married Oshin of Lampron, from whom the Huthumids descended, rulers of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia in the 13th-14th centuries.
