Nikephoros Iberopoulos, 13th century. Seal (Lead, 35 mm, 31.00 g, 12 h). CΦPAΓIC MHZOMAT૪ NHKHΦOP૪ - Θ - NHKH/ΦO/PO Saint Nikephoros, nimbate, standing facing. Rev. CΦPAΓIC ANAΞ KONCTANTINO Δ૪Λ૪ C૪ IBIPOΠOΛ - Θ / KO/CTA/N/TH/NC ("King Constantine is the seal of his servant Iberopoulos") Saint Constantine the Great, nimbate, standing facing, wearing loros and holding a patriarchal cross in his right hand. Unpublished in the standard references. A rare and exceptional late Byzantine seal of the finest style of the period. Nearly extremely fine.



The name Iberopoulos (son of the Iberian) indicates a Georgian origin for the seal owner's family. It is very likely that this heritage prompted Nikephoros to depict Constantine the Great (307-337) on his seal, as it was during Constantine's reign that King Mirian III of Iberia reportedly converted to Christianity in the 320s or 330s.