Theophylaktos, ho tou sakelliou (director of the treasury), circa 1075-1100. Seal (Lead, 26 mm, 15.71 g, 12 h). Θ / ΘЄ/O-Φ/V/ΛA/KT/O, Nimbate facing bust of Saint Theophylact, raising his right hand in benediction and holding a book of Gospels in his left . Rev. +TON CON / ΘЄOΦVΛA/KTON Ⲱ ΘV ΘV/TA ΘЄOΦVΛA/KTЄ TON CA/KЄΛΛIOV / CKЄΠOIC ('O Priest of God Theophylact, may you protect your Theophylact of the treasury') in seven lines. BBÖ II 16 (our seal cited as the only parallel example). An impressive seal with rare iconography. Exceptionally well preserved and struck on a large flan, with a charming poetic inscription. Extremely fine.



The owner of this magnificent seal chose his namesake Saint Theophylact as his patron. The Saint wears the homophorion over his shoulders, adorned with crosses, the official vesture of an orthodox bishop. He must be the metropolitan bishop of Nikomedia (810-840) who defended Christian art during the iconoclast era. Theophylaktos introduces himself as 'of the sakelle', indicating he was the head of the administrative bureau (sekreton) of the treasury (sakelle).