★ The hospitality of Abraham ★

Doulkitios, 6th-7th century. Seal (Lead, 24 mm, 10.96 g, 1 h). The hospitality of Abraham: three nimbate male figure standing facing; below, uncertain object. Rev. ΔOVΛ/KITI/OV in three lines. Unpublished in the standard references. An intriguing seal with apparently unique imagery. Very fine.

From a European collection, acquired before 2021.

Two narrative scenes may be considered for the interpretation of the imagery on this early Byzantine seal: the three youths in the fiery furnace from the Book of Daniel, or the Hospitality of Abraham. Both seem to be unattested on early Byzantine seals. Additional narrative elements are lacking, such as the flames of the furnace or the food on the table to feed the visitors, but the youths always seem to be depicted with their hands raised in prayer. Hence, we prefer to identify the scene as the Hospitality of Abraham.