Without year (ca. 1192 – 1193)
Annunciation scene.
Dignities in Greek.
Sigillography belongs to the peripheral subjects of numismatics. Manufacturing technique, shape and the limited space for evolving artistic creativity are similar to coins. The magnificent sample of a Byzantine seal on display here once served the general Konstantin Angelos Dukas, whose career ceased in distress after usurping the throne.
Konstantin Angelos Dukas was a cousin of the emperor Isaak II., who bestowed his close kinsmen generously with dignities and titels. As a young man he was already able to proof his skills as Duke of Crete. The grandson of an admiral has been appointed commander of the fleet and strategos of Philippopolis in 1192. Later he was entrusted with the command in chief in the war against the Bulgars. After repeated victories over the Bulgarian tsar he had himself proclaimed emperor by his followers in 1193. The usurper, however, has been seized by his own officers and handed over to Isaak II., who had his cousin blinded. Subsequent to this internal Byzantine conflict the Bulgars were more fortunate again and attained their independence and supremacy on the Balkans.
The inscription of the seal displays Konstantin Angelos Dukas as responsible dignitary for the lost document once attached to it and dates from the time before his usurpation. His descent from a person “born in the purple” and his kinship as first cousin of the emperor are explicitly mentioned.
39,35 g / diameter 46,5 mm