★ A very large and impressive Byzantine seal ★

Leon Monasteriotes, protospatharios and hypatos, 11th century. Seal (Lead, 32 mm, 35.92 g, 11 h). [ MHP ] - ΘV Half-length figure of the Mother of God 'Hagiosoritissa' standing left, nimbate, both hands raised in supplication; in upper left field, Hand of God reaching down towards her. Rev. ΘKЄ R,Θ, / ΛЄONTI A/CΠAΘ, S VΠA/T, TⲰ M[O]NA/CTHPIⲰ/T, in six lines. Unpublished in the standard references. A very large and impressive Byzantine seal. Some scrapes and striking weakness, otherwise, very fine.

From a European collection, formed before 2005.