Basileios, imperial protospatharios and genikos logothetes, late 9th-first half 10th century. Seal (Lead, 21 mm, 9.13 g, 12 h). +KЄ ROHΘH TⲰ CⲰ ΔOVΛⲰ ('Lord, help your servant') Patriarchal cross on steps. Rev. +RACIΛЄIⲰ / R'A'CΠAΘ, S ΓЄ/NIKⲰ ΛOΓOΘ, in three lines, between a bird flying down in the upper field and a decoration of a globe within two protruding branches. Jordanov, Corpus III, 765-768. Wassiliou-Seibt/Seibt, Zarnitz II, 43. An excellent and well designed Byzantine seal showing rare iconography. Light scratches. Extremely fine.


The bird shown in the upper reverse field evokes the imagery of the dove shown in late antique depictions of the Baptism of Jesus, and may therefore be interpreted as the Holy Spirit.