Konstantinos Katakalos, patrikios and gerotrophos, 11th century. Seal (Lead, 29 mm, 18.00 g, 11 h). The Mother of God “Hodegetria”, nimbate, wearing chiton and maphorion, pointing with her right hand towards Infant Christ seated on her left arm. Rev. ΘKЄ R,Θ, / TⲰ CⲰ Δ… / KⲰN ΠPIK… S ΓHPO…Φ TⲰ KAT[A]KAΛⲰ. Unpublished in the standard references. An intriguing piece attesting an extremely rare office and an interesting curiosum. Good very fine.



This interesting piece was once the seal of a person named Konstantinos Katakalos, who was the director of a gerotropheion, an old age home. After its use as a seal, it was evidently reworked to serve a decorative or devotional purpose.