★ A large and heavy and highly interesting seal with extremely rare iconography of a stylite saint ★

Bartholomeos, 10th century-middle 11th century. Seal (Lead, 33 mm, 30.39 g, 12 h). +KЄ ROHΘ, TⲰ CⲰ Δ, RAPΘOΛOMЄⲰ; across fields, Θ / CV/MЄ/O/N – O ΘA/MA/CT/O/P, St. Symeon Thaumastorites (the Younger), nimbate, seated on his column. Rev. +O AΓI/OC CVMЄ/ⲰN O EN TⲰ ΘAVMACTⲰ OP,. E. Stepanova (2017): Seals and Eulogiai of the Monastery of Symeon Stylites the Younger in Античная древность и средние века 45, 99-112, fig. 3. Zacos II 793. A large and heavy and highly interesting seal with extremely rare iconography of a stylite saint. Piercing attempt, otherwise, very fine.

From a European collection, formed before 2005.

Bartholomeos (or Bartholomew) may well have been a monk attached to the monastery of Saint Symeon Stylite the Younger, which was located on top of a hill known as the 'Wondrous Mountain', near the city of Antioch. It was one of the most beloved centers of pilgrimage in the Byzantine world, marking the place where the ascetic Saint Symeon had lived on top of his pillar for much of his life in the 6th century. Our seal does not mention a clerical office for Bartholomew, but his name was quite common amongst clergy.