Anonymous, 12th century. Seal (Bronze, 38 mm, 11.78 g), bi-valve or 'gemini' seal. Bust of Saint Michael facing, wings to left and right. Rev. HC - XC / NH-KA ("Jesus Christ conquers") in the quadrants of a cross decorated with circlets at the ends and at the center. Cf. Vikan/Nesbitt, Locking, Sealing, and Weighing (Houston 1980) pp. 23-24, C. Stiegemann (ed.); Byzanz. Das Licht aus dem Osten: Kult und Alltag im Byzantinischen Reich vom 4. bis 15. Jahrhundert. Katalog der Ausstellung im Erzbischöflichen Diözesanmuseum. Paderborn 2001, III.12, and L. Wamser: Die Welt von Byzanz - Europas östliches Erbe (2004), 745-749 (for similar double-sided seals). A marvellous and well preserved bronze hinged seal. Good extremely fine.