Lot 232
232
John VIII (Xiphilin), patriarch of Constantinople (1064-1075), the Virgin facing, seated on a backless throne, holding the Christ child on her knees, invocative legend, beginning at 6 o'clock, ***, and at right ***, rev. legend in six lines ***, border of dots, 41.07g. (Z.II, 17c; cf. Spink, Zacos I, lot 20), extremely fine
John VIII (Xiphilin), patriarch of Constantinople (1064-1075), the Virgin facing, seated on a backless throne, holding the Christ child on her knees, invocative legend, beginning at 6 o'clock, ***, and at right ***, rev. legend in six lines ***, border of dots, 41.07g. (Z.II, 17c; cf. Spink, Zacos I, lot 20), extremely fine

Details
John VIII (Xiphilin), patriarch of Constantinople (1064-1075), the Virgin facing, seated on a backless throne, holding the Christ child on her knees, invocative legend, beginning at 6 o'clock, ***, and at right ***, rev. legend in six lines ***, border of dots, 41.07g. (Z.II, 17c; cf. Spink, Zacos I, lot 20), extremely fine

Lot Essay

Several seals of this patriarch have been preserved. Born at Trebizond, John Xiphilin was educated at Constantinople where, with his friends Michael Psellos and Constantine Leichoudes he served the emperor Constantine Monomachos. Appointed head of the new Law School at the monastery of Manganes, he retired to the monastic life when he, along with his colleagues, fell from favour. In 1063 he was recalled by Constantine X Doucas to succeed Leichoudes as patriarch. He was the author of a number of works on Law, as well as an account of the miracles of Saint Eugenius, the patron saint of his home town of Trebizond.