Exceptional Eastern Rendition of St. John the Baptist

Triton XV, Lot: 1654. Estimate $2000. Sold for $4750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Theodore Panegures. Circa 1250. PB Seal (43mm, 31.75 g, 12h). St. Joannes standing facing, wearing nimbus crown, raising hand in benediction, and holding scroll inscribed HΔЄ/O A/(MN)OC/(barred Ŏ ӨV) (ἴδε, ὁ ἀμνὸς τοῦ θεοῦ: Behold, the lamb of God –John 1:36); patriarchal cross behind; O/A/ΓI/O/C Iω O/Δ/(MP)/OC (‘O ἅγιος ’Iω[άννης ὁ Пρ]όδρ[ο]μος: St. John the Forerunner) across field / +/ωC ЄN ΨV/XH ΦЄPω CЄ/ΦωNH TŎ ΛOΓŎ/(TH) CΦPA(ΓH)ΔI ӨЄ/OΔωPOC ПA/NHΓVPHC (‘Ως ἐν ψυχῇ φέρω σε, φωνὴ τοῦ Λόγου, τῇ σφραγίδι Θεόδωρος Пανηγύρης: I, Theodore Panegures, carry you, voice of the Word, on this seal just as I do in my soul) in seven lines. Jordanov 554 (this piece cited). Good VF, attractive dusty highlights, minor flan waviness and pit on the obverse. An interesting piece featuring an unknown 13th century figure. Very rare, with only one other published example and the better of the two.

Ex Hirsch 206 (24 November 1999), lot 618.