Unique seal of Byzantine Empress Irene Laskarina discovered at Perperikon in Bulgaria

A personal lead seal belonging to Byzantine Empress Irene Komnene Doukaina Laskarina has recently been discovered at Perperikon in southern Bulgaria.

Dating from the 13th century, the artefact depicts the empress on one side and Christ the Saviour on the other in the rare iconographic representation known as Lytrotes — “the Redeemer”.

Prof Nikolay Ovcharov, director of the archaeological excavations, announced the discovery, while sigillography specialist Dimitar Stoimenov identified the inscription on the artefact.

According to the researchers, the seal is particularly significant because it is the only known example belonging to Irene. Other comparable specimens are held in collections including those of the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg and Dumbarton Oaks in Washington.

A unique artefact The unique representation of Christ the Saviour in the Lytrotes iconographic type – “The Redeemer”. Photo: Bulgarian News Agency On one side of the seal, Irene stands on an oval platform, wearing the imperial crown and ceremonial robes and holding a sceptre. The inscription identifies her as “Irene Komnene, the most pious Augusta”.

The other side bears an image rarely…