★ Johannes Taronites, nephew of the emperor Alexios I Komnenos ★

Johannes Taronites, sebastos, 12th century. Seal (Lead, 25 mm, 10.75 g, 12 h). M-ΘV Nimbate Mother of God “Episkepsis”, raising both hands in prayer; medallion of Christ in front. Rev. [ΔЄ]CΠOI[N/A] R,Θ, MOI / TⲰ CⲰ Δ, IⲰ [C]/ЄBA CT Ⲱ TⲰ / [T]APⲰNI ("Lady, help me, your servant, the sebastos Johannes Taronites") in five lines. Jordanov Corpus II 706. Zacos III 225. Some weakness of strike, otherwise, very fine.

The likely owner of this seal is the son of Michael Taronites and Maria Komnene, nephew of the emperor Alexios I Komnenos. The Taronites family came from the highest Armenian aristocracy: they were descendants of the Bagratid dynasty of Taron, the Armenian principality which was incorporated into the Byzantine empire at the end of the 10th century.