Nikolaos Skleros, proedros and protasekretis, last quarter 11th century. Seal (Lead, 32 mm, 19.19 g, 12 h). +ΘKЄ R, [...] ΠΡOЄΔP, S ΠPOT,CHKPITI TⲰ CKΛHP, - H OΔHΓHTPIA - MHP ΘV The Mother of God 'Hodegetria', nimbate, wearing chiton and maphorion, pointing with her right hand towards Infant Christ seated on her left arm. Rev. In left field: [Θ ΘЄO]/ΔⲰ/PO; In upper field: [Θ NIKOΛ]; Across upper and right fields: Θ – ΓЄ/Ⲱ/P/Γ, Nimbate standing figures of Saint Theodore, holding a spear in his right hand and resting his left on sword, Saint Nicholas, raising his right hand in benediction and holding book of Gospels in his left, and Saint George, holding spear in his right hand and resting his left on shield. Unpublished in the standard references. Cf. Seibt, Skleroi no. 22 for the career of Nikolaos Skleros. A very important new seal for a well-known and high-ranking Byzantine aristocrat. Some scrapes and surface roughness, otherwise, very fine.



This impressive seal undoubtedly belongs to Nikolaos Skleros, a prominent Byzantine civil official of the late 11th century, known from several seals and his correspondence with the renowned Byzantine scholar Michael Psellos. We can be certain of this attribution because some of Nikolaos' known seals, which are always of the highest artistic quality, feature the same Hodegetria on the obverse, paired with the same trio of saints on the reverse. This particular seal likely dates to the later stages of his career, as the rank of proedros (or possibly [proto]proedros) can be read in the circular inscription. His office on the seal is protasekretis, a rare and high-ranking civic office, which had not previously been attested on his seals. The reverse features Saint Nicholas, Nikolaos' namesake, flanked by two of Byzantium's most beloved military saints, Saint Theodore and Saint George, clearly indicating that the seal's owner was under the protection of all three. The fine style and rich iconography of this seal not only highlight the Byzantine seal as an objet d'art, but also offer a fascinating glimpse into the pious life of Byzantium's citizens.