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Apasios Pakourianos. Circa late 11th century. PB Seal (26mm, 19.43 g, 12h). Bust of the Theotokos, facing right, holding the Holy Infant in her arms / ΘKЄ RΘ/ AΠACIω/ [...]ANOV Π/[...]CTI Tω/ ΠAK(OV)PI/ANω in six lines. Cf. Dumbarton Oaks Byzantine Seals Online BZS.1955.1.3211 (for seal of Apasios Pakourianos). Tan patina. Near VF.
The Pakourianos family is better known from Apasios’ more famous brother Gregory who was a sebastos and doux who served during the reigns of Constantine X to Alexius I. Both Gregory and Apasio (also called Abas) were patrons of Christianity and made liberal donations to orthodox monasteries. Through this, Gregory and his brother’s depiction survives to this day in frescos at the monastery they founded in modern day Bachkovo, Bulgaria where the two are buried. This seal features more text than the Dumbarton Oaks example (which only features Apasios’ name). However, the additional text has thus far not been able to be read clearly.
Closing Date and Time: 19 June 2024 at 14:04:20 ET.
All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.
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