Seal of Pardos hypatos and kommerkiaros of Thessalonica (IX/X c.) IX/X c.

Curator: This is a 10.28 gram seal of Pardos hypatos and kommerkiaros of Thessalonica, dating back to the 9th or 10th century. Editor: It’s… intense. The face on the seal has this penetrating gaze, like it's seen centuries pass. Curator: The lead material speaks to Byzantine administrative practices, where seals authenticated documents and asserted authority, connecting trade with imperial power. Editor: I imagine the hands that held this, the deals sealed, the stories this little piece of metal could tell. It's almost a talisman. Curator: Absolutely. The materiality also reflects the economic activity of Thessalonica, a major Byzantine port, emphasizing trade networks that shaped the era. Editor: It's a solid reminder of how art isn't always hanging on a wall, sometimes it's weighing down a transaction and shaping history. Curator: Indeed, a material witness to a different world. Editor: A tangible connection to another time.