Half a led bulla seal of Nikitas the Spatharokandidatos.

Its obverse bears a bust of a bishop-saint (possibly Saint Nicolas) with a halo, beard and receding hairline, wearing a phelonion and omorphion ornamented with crosses; holding a gospel book and right hand in sign of blessing.

The reverse shows an inscription in blocky lettering typical of the 10th century, beginning with a cross followed by 'NIKITAS SPATHAROKANDIDATOS' and ending with a cross between two squares.

Held by mid-ranking officials, the court title of Spatharokandidatos was a combination of the two older titles Spatharios and Kandidatos, both of which were types of palace guards.

The title appears to have stopped being used by the end of the 11th century.

In the Byzantine Empire, lead seals like this one would have been affixed to strings used to secure documents as a form of authentication. Such seals were made using a metal tool known as a 'bouloterion' which impressed the design on the seal.