Dumbarton Oaks houses the largest collection of Byzantine lead seals in the world, with roughly 17,000 specimens. Volume 7 in the catalogue presents 572 anonymous seals--almost all previously unpublished--bearing sacred images on both sides. The catalogue represents the first attempt to analyze this group of seals chronologically and typologically.

The vast collection of 17,000 Byzantine lead seals in the Harvard collections has long been recognized as an important source for the study of the Byzantine provinces. This volume is the fourth in the series of catalogues of geographical seals, and presents photographs, descriptions, and commentaries on the seals from the East.

Volume 2 includes seals with place names from south of the Balkans, the islands, and the south of Asia Minor. Each section begins with an essay on the region's history. Each seal is illustrated and accompanied--where appropriate--by commentary on date, its owner, peculiarities of orthography, and special features of iconography.

Volume 3 includes seals with place names from west, northwest, and central Asia Minor and the Orient. Each section begins with a short essay on the region's history. Each seal is illustrated and accompanied--where appropriate--by commentary on date, its owner, peculiarities of orthography, and special features of iconography.

Volume 5 in the Byzantine Seals catalogue includes seals with place names from the East, Constantinople and its environs, and seals with uncertain readings. These seals contribute significantly to historical geography, the evolution of the Byzantine imperial administration, development in the Greek language, and decorative vogues.