Abul Gharib Arsruni (Apnelgaripes), magistros of Tarsos, 1042-1080. Seal or Bulla (Lead, 30 mm, 17.89 g, 12 h), Tarsos. Ο / Г/Є/Ω/P - ГI/O/S St. George, nimbate and in military dress, standing facing, holding spear with his raised right hand and resting his left on his shield, set on the ground at his side. Rev. -+-/ +KE BOH/ΘΕΙ ΤΩ CΩ/ ΔΟΥΛΩ ΑΠ/ΝΕΛΓΡΙΠΗ/ΜΓΙΤΡΩ in five lines. Cheynet 18. Seyrig 40. Spink, Zacos II, 1999, 117 = Zacos II 362. Made from the same boulloterion as the piece from the Hecht Collection, Triton XI, 2008, 1193. An intriguing seal made for an Armenian in Imperial service. Very fine.

Abul Gharib Arsruni, also known as Apellarib or Apnelgaripes, was a Greek Orthodox Byzantine statesman of Armenian descent who was appointed governor of Cilicia by Michael VII, and was based in Tarsos. For another high ranking official of Armenian origin appointed around this time, see above, lot 416.