Synopses & Reviews
Review
Every attempt has been made to make the seals themselves accessible to the general reader as well as to specialists. This is accomplished by straightforward organization, impeccable scholarship, and clear photographs. Seals are notoriously difficult to photograph; the quality of these photographs is indicative of the high quality of the publication as a whole...The volume is a welcome addition. Speculum
Synopsis
The combined Dumbarton Oaks and Fogg collection of Byzantine seals is one of the largest in the world, containing 17,000 specimens. Volume 3 in the catalogue includes seals with place names from west, northwest, and central Asia Minor and the Orient. Each section begins with a short essay on the region's history. Each seal is illustrated and is accompanied--where appropriate--by full commentary regarding the specimen's date, biographical information on its owner, peculiarities of orthography, and special features of iconography. These seals contribute significantly to historical geography, the evolution of the Byzantine imperial administration, development in the Greek language, and decorative vogues.
About the Author
John Nesbitt is Research Associate for Byzantine Sigillography at Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection.
Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collections