College of Judges in the Hippodrome

Sale: Triton XI, Lot: 1152. Estimate $750.  Closing Date: Monday, 7 January 2008.  Sold For $800. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Christopher. Magistros and krites of the Velon, circa 10th-11th centuries. PB Seal (35mm, 18.75 g, 12h). +KE ROHQ’ Tw C[w D(OY)Lw], facing bust of St. Nicholas, holding Gospels in left hand, right hand in benediction; O/NI/K in left field; O/LOC in right field / XPICTOFOR,/ MAGICTPw/ [K]RIT, T(OY) RHA / XT[...]L T(OY) GEN,/ [IPP]ODROM, T,/ A[N]ATOLIK,/ [...]I in seven lines; ornaments above and below. BLS I -; DOCBS -; Seyrig -; Vatican -; Orghidan -; cf. Jordanov II 720 (for a seal of Christopher Timonites, krites of the Velon). Good VF, light tan patina, some minor encrustation.

From the Robert E. Hecht Collection.

The kritai tou belou were a college of twelve judges, whose title probably derived from their meeting place behind a curtain (bhlon) in the hippodrome of Constantinople.