★ Byzantine lead seal of Ioannes (John), protospatharios, epi tou Chrysotriklinou and chartoularios of the Nea (New Ekklesia) (10th c.). A rarest important seal of high interest! ★

Obv.: Large cruciform pattern with floral decorations at the end of the four limbs, flanked by decorative dots, dotted border.

Rev.: Legend in 6 lines, +IΩANNI/ Α´ CΠΑΘ, S Ε/ ΠΙ ΤΟΥ Χ,CΟΤ,/ ΚΛΙΝ, ΚΕ Χ,Τ,/ ΛΑΡΙΟ ΤΙC/ ΝΕΑC (Ioannes, protospatharios, epi tou Chrysotriklinou and chartoularios of the Nea), dotted border.

Crack along the channel on both sides, partly opened on obverse, minor weakness, otherwise Very Fine plus, as in photos. Very well centered example. Uncleaned, with a charming natural cream patina.

Unpublished in the standard references!

Commentary: The Nea Ekklesia was a sanctuary built in the Great Palace in 880 by Basil I and consecrated to the Mother of God, St. Elias, St. Michael, and St. Nicholas. The ceremony commemorating its inauguration was marked by a procession departing from the church of the Theotokos of the Pharos and leading to the Nea, where a liturgy was celebrated followed by a banquet in the Chrysotriklinos (Listes, 214; ODB 2:1146). By the twelfth century the church had become a monastery. From the fact that chartoularioi and oikonomoi were attached to the church we may infer that the church enjoyed revenues from extensive estates. There are some more seals, referring to offices concerning the Nea Ekklesia, like in DO Seals 5 no. 48.2b (Ioannes protochartoularios of the Nea) and of Michael, vestarches and oikonomos of the Nea Church, mid-11th century (Collection Sopracasa, inv. no. 53; published in Sopracasa, Prigent 2017).

Weight:7,3 gr Diameter:27,2 mm