Baldwin, count (c.1100), Annunciation scene, on the right the Virgin, nimbate, wearing chiton and maphorion, on the left the Archangel advancing, his right hand raised in benediction, in upper field **, beneath the Virgin **, rev. legend in four lines in a border of dots, **, 15.56g. (Z.II, 368b), coarse engraving, very fine

Details

Baldwin, count (c.1100), Annunciation scene, on the right the Virgin, nimbate, wearing chiton and maphorion, on the left the Archangel advancing, his right hand raised in benediction, in upper field **, beneath the Virgin **, rev. legend in four lines in a border of dots, **, 15.56g. (Z.II, 368b), coarse engraving, very fine

Lot Essay

Two Baldwins became counts of Edessa. The first, Baldwin of Boulogne, founded the county in 1098. He was succeded in 1100 by his cousin, Baldwin II of Rethel. It is difficult to determine which is represented here. The following seal, also of count Baldwin, might indicate that we can distinguish the seals of the two on account of the different iconography, but that cannot be proved. It might be significant that there is no mention of Edessa on the seals, which would be curious if they were of Baldwin II.