Nikephoros Bourtzes, vestes, 2nd half 11th century. Seal (Lead, 22 mm, 10.31 g, 12 h). Θ / ΔI/MI/T-P[I]/O[C] Saint Demetrios, standing facing, nimbate, holding spear in his right hand, and resting left hand on a shield. Rev. KЄ R,[Θ,] / TⲰ CⲰ Δ૪, / NIKHΦOP, / RЄCT, TⲰ / R૪PTζI in five lines, decorations below. Unpublished in the standard references. Cf. Cheynet, Société p. 368-970, no. 25. Good very fine.



There are a number of seals surviving of Nikephoros Bourtzes, as J.-C. Cheynet shows in his prosopographical study of the Bourtzes family. This seal dates to the early stages of his career. Another seal, currently in Dumbarton Oaks, lists the office of katepano alongside the dignity of vestes. In the early 12th century Nikephoros rose to vestarches, magistros and eventually proedros. This high rank of proedros does not occur on known seals, but in the record of a land transaction with the Dochiariou monastery on Mount Athos (see PBW Nikephoros 168).