Semi-precious

The term “semi precious” is applied to a subset gemstones, and the term was created to set them apart from what are considered precious stones (diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds). Things like amber and lapis lazuli, which are not really stones at all are still considered “semi precious” by most people. This distinction reflects the rarity of the respective stones in ancient times, as well as their quality. all are translucent with fine color in their purest forms and very hard. This distinction is not related to their monetary value, i.e. some forms of garnet are more expensive than emeralds.

Objects: Semi-precious Export: JSON - XML - CSV Clay Seals and Sealings

U Number	Museum Number (UPM Date Reg Number)	Museum Number (BM Registration Number)	Museum Number (UPM B-number)	Description (Catalog Card)
487	(none)	(none)	B15256	Chalcedony seal. Same shape as U.486. Subject [referencing drawin] [drawing]
1054	(none)	(none)	B15276	Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. Very small.
6752	(none)	(none)	B16283	Cylinder seal. White crystal. Plain. E.
6133	(none)	(none)	B16294	Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. Upper and lower band showing gazelles passing sacred tree. About 3000 BC. E.
6988	(none)	(none)	B16302	Seal. Amethyst. Blue-violet. Flat on one side, convex on the other but not completely rounded, apex top. Hawk with spread wings, legs crossed in middle of breast. Neo-Babylonian. E.
7046	(none)	(none)	B16305	Cylinder seal. Black hematite. Scene of worship. Votary introduced by minor god to Nannar. Attributes. Seated dog with crooked stick of Martu on his head. Libra and Ampulla. 1st Babylonian dynasty About 2000 BC
6255	(none)	(none)	B16306	Cylinder seal. Black hematite. Shamash with horned mitre and notched sword in hand steps on a crouching bull a worshipper brings a kid as an offering. The god Martu with a short club in hand, short garment and a round woolen turban is followed by a worshipper with clasped hands, and a servant. Two small figures - a bifrons with clasped hands and a nude servant with libation cone in hand. About BC 1900. E.
6687	(none)	(none)	B16310, B16310	Cylinder seal. Black hematite. Inscribed. Shamash, worshipper and goddess. Servant of Sin and servant of Nin-Shah. E. 1st Babylonian dynasty 2000 BC.
6091	(none)	(none)	B16311	Cylinder seal. Black basalt. Nannar, minor god and votary. E.
(none)	(none)	(none)	B16320	Unknown
(none)	(none)	(none)	B16339	Unknown
10448A	(none)	(none)	B16727	Cylinder Seal. Lapis lazuli, with 2 registers. Figures sitting, drinking and eating, with standing attendants, and inscription: -A-bar(a)-gi(n). Found on the near side of the box with beads and other small objects.
10872	(none)	(none)	B16728	Cylinder Seal Lapis 2 registers: above, 2 seated figures facing with three attendants standing; below, (shrine?) (or table?) with standing servitor, a harpist and 2 other standing figures facing him, a servant, a seated figure and an attendant.
8615	(none)	(none)	B16828	Cylinder seal. Lapis. 2 registers: above: three seated deities(?) with a worshipper in front of each. Below: door: 3 seated and 3 standing figures. Archaic style.
8981	(none)	(none)	B16852	Cylinder Seal. Lapis. 2 registers: below: 1 man, fighting animals. Above, human figure with rampant animals on each side and inscription of NIN-TUR-NIN.
9183	(none)	(none)	B16854	Cylinder seal Lapis, with gold caps (the latter rather broken). Subject: Gilgamesh and Eabani.
9263	(none)	(none)	B16855	Cylinder seal Steatite Black Geometric decoration
7956	(none)	(none)	B16856	Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli: tall slender type broken in antiquity; mended. Two registers: above, 2 worshipers approaching a seated goddess with crescent. Below, 3 worshipers approaching a seated goddess with star; behind her a tree.
9652	(none)	(none)	B16857	Cylinder seal Dark steatite A hero fighting a bull (or wild oryx)? and a lion and a bull fighting.
9262	(none)	(none)	B16860	Cylinder seal Steatite Green. Slightly concave. A god standing between two portals, the left foot raised and resting upon the mountain top, the right foot rigid- as if in the attitude of ascending? His left hand is upraised and in it he holds a feather whisk?? His head is turned backward in contemplation of a minute human figure crouching in the attitude of subjection. The god's right hand is extended immediately above the head of the victim that he has crushed. Oblique to the go are three concentric wavy lines above the right shoulder - possibly representing lightening? The god wears a horned headdress. A second god also wearing a horned headdress, long hair falling below the shoulders and ending in a knot? and a skirt descending to the feet, approaches one of the portals and touches it with hands as if about to open it.
7641	(none)	(none)	B16861	Cylinder seal. Green stone. Slightly concave. Broken in antiquity but remended and complete. Gilgamesh and Enkidu back to back the former fighting a rampant bull the latter fighting a rampant lion.
8053	(none)	(none)	B16866	Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. Two registers. Above: two seated deities with an attendant between them & facing one of them, two worshippers. Below: a door? a seated deity & 3 worshippers. Very archaic style, figures with birdlike heads.
8917	(none)	(none)	B16867	Cylinder seal. Green Stone Above, string pattern [drawing] Below, 2 seated and 2 standing gods
8416	(none)	(none)	B16870	Cylinder seal. Steatite. Green. Small piece missing near one end. Inscribed. Slightly concave. Two rampant lions back to back. Each is attacked by a naked bearded and horned hero. Between the 2 lions tails 3 vertical lines with rounded heads standing above a pair of spread wings? - thus [drawing]
9502	(none)	(none)	B16873, B16873	Cylinder seal Green ston A hero fighting a lion and a second fighting a long-horned bull (?): between the animals a star and crescent, between the men a single column of inscription. A-ki-ru-um. (HC.202)