Ancient Byzantine Lead Seal With Saint And Inscription 1000-1100 Ad

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Seller: spantiquities ✉️ (3,545) 99.9%, Location: Evesham, GB, Ships to: WORLDWIDE, Item: 314220823828 ANCIENT BYZANTINE LEAD SEAL WITH SAINT AND INSCRIPTION 1000-1100 AD.

ANCIENT BYZANTINE LEAD SEAL WITH SAINT AND INSCRIPTION

Dimensions:

8.45 Grams, 1.8 cm

In the Byzantine Empire seals were used, especially from the seventh century, though they had also been used in the Roman world, to verify that documents came from their official sender and to prove that they had not been opened or tampered with. They were an early form of document security and an important way for people to represent themselves publicly. Byzantine seals were made of lead and were formed from two blank, round pieces of lead, which were then squashed around strings attached to the document (or sometimes strips of the document, cut partially from the main letter then wrapped around it). The pliers, or bouleterion used to press the two lead circles together could also be carved with images to make the seal unique to the sender. Some seals were very simple with only an animal or pattern depicted on them. From the eighth century, however, seals became increasingly elaborate, often carrying long inscriptions in heavily abbreviated Greek, listing the titles, parentage and prayers of the person from whom the letter came. They could also include detailed images, often of a religious nature.

Age: 1000-1100 AD

Provenance: Eastern European excavation 1990s, Rhodopes mountains range

  • Antique: Yes
  • Original/Repro: Original
  • Material: Lead
  • Age: Pre-1800

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