Anonymous, 550-650. Seal (Lead, 21 mm, 7.79 g, 12 h). Draped and nimbate bust of the Mother of God, flanked by crosses in the fields. Rev. Angel standing facing, nimbate, holding scepter in his right hand and a globe in his left, flanked by crosses in the fields. Unpublished in the standard references. An excellent early Byzantine seal of fine style. Good very fine.


The iconography of this early Byzantine seal is unusual. First, the Mother of God is depicted without the infant Christ and with her hands neither raised nor in a gesture of prayer. Second, the presence of a standing angel is extremely rare in this period. It is therefore tempting to suggest that the imagery alludes to the Annunciation, with the angel on the reverse intended to represent Gabriel.