Nomos 38

CRUSADER SEALS, Latin Patriarchs of Antioch. Americh (Aimery) of Limoges, circa 1139-1196. Seal (Lead, 34 mm, 37.00 g, 12 h), probably struck c. 1142-1193/6. + SIGILLVM SANCTI PETRI APOSTOLI (=seal of St. Peter the Apostle ) Nimbate half length figure of St Peter standing facing, holding Book of Gospels in his left hand and the keys of Paradise with his right. Rev. + AIMERICVS PATRIARChA ANTIOCENVS (=Aimery Partiarch of Antioch) Draped facing bust of Aimery, wearing mitra with two pinnacles, holding cross-tipped scepter in his left hand, and raising his right in benediction. Geneva 410a-b (= Zacos Collection, Spink 132 1999, 149-150). Schlumberger,>b> Moyen Age, 1879, p. 26, no 17 (from the same boulloterion) = Schlumberger- Blanchet, Orient Latin, pp. 86 no 36-38. Zacos Collection, Spink 132, 151 (this piece). An extremely important historical seal from the famous Zacos collection. Clear and nicely patinated. Good very fine.

From the collection of Georgios Zacos (1911-1983), Spink 132, 25 May 1999, 151.

From the three seals of Aimery, once in the collection of G. Zacos and offered in the Spink sale of 1999 as lots 149-151, only this piece (lot 151) has remained on the market. The other two examples (lots 149 and 150) are currently in the collection of the Museum of Art and History in Geneva.

For the life and work of Aimery, see B. Hamilton, "Aimery of Limoges, Latin Patriarch of Antioch, c. 1142-c- 1196, and the Unity of the Churches", in K.Ciggaar & H-Teule, eds., East and West in the Crusader States, Louvain 1999, p.1-12.