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)
775	(none)	(none)	B15248	Carnelian cylinder seal. Archer in chariot driving rt. shoots at kneeling archer l. Late style with a good deal of drill point work, but not bad. ? 8th century.
487	(none)	(none)	B15256	Chalcedony seal. Same shape as U.486. Subject [referencing drawin] [drawing]
9092B	(none)	(none)	B17490	Copper pin [A]. Thickened head and short tang. Onto the stem is corroded a small lapis cylinder seal [B](engraved conoid with animal figures) which must have hung from the hole in the stem of the pin. [Type I]
10757	(none)	(none)	B16924	Cylinder Seal Carnelian with gold caps 3 goddesses, one seated; on the lap of the seated goddess a naked male figure. All the goddesses wear wigs of similar type and hair done up at back in a bun. One advances towards throne carrying a bowl, the second carries a vase with a splayed base suspended by a long handle. Behind throne a goddess carrying an (Ostrich fan?) All the goddesses wear skirts fringed at bottom and with a long hem running down side.
9652	(none)	(none)	B16857	Cylinder seal Dark steatite A hero fighting a bull (or wild oryx)? and a lion and a bull fighting.
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)
9298	(none)	(none)	B17012	Cylinder seal Green stone Gilgamesh and Eabani
9586	(none)	(none)	B16947	Cylinder Seal Haematite Black Seated god greeting 2 other divinities who approach bearing offerings? All wearing the horned headdress. Behind throne a palm tree? Attribute: Cresent moon.
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.
9064	(none)	(none)	B16898	Cylinder seal Lapis lazuli Silver core Gilgamesh and Enkidu fighting rampant lion and rampant bull respectively.
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
9587	(none)	(none)	B16948	Cylinder seal Steatite Green 2 seated deities both sucking straws, the ends of which are in a vase of the champagne type. Behind one throne a standing attendant and behind him a star? on a vertical staff.
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.
17251	31-43-43	(none)	(none)	Cylinder Seal [CARD MISSING Typed Transcription from British Museum Card]
16656	31-43-62	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal, carnelian. 2 bird-like beasts and star.
8917	(none)	(none)	B16867	Cylinder seal. Green Stone Above, string pattern [drawing] Below, 2 seated and 2 standing gods
8926	(none)	(none)	B16888	Cylinder seal. Lapis Lazuli. 2 registers. Above: 1 seated and 2 standing figures. Below: men [illegible] animals
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.
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.
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]
16709	31-43-44	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Black hematite. Nude female standing; god in long skirt, right foot tree and poised on a low stool, raises hand in greeting to a standing warrior who is clad in a short tunic.
18922	35-1-16	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Black steatite. A god driving a chariot drawn by a winged gryphon(?); between the wings rises a goddess armed with a bow, in front of it is another god. One column of inscription. Inscription: Ur-gis-me-e (C.J.G.)
18974	35-1-9, 35-1-9	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Dark green steatite. One seated and three standing figures: two columns of inscription. Inscription: Lugal-ma (C.J.G.)
18919	35-1-22, 35-1-22	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Green steatite (?) with copper caps. Two standing gods shaking hands: two men killing a kneeling prisoner: two columns of inscription supported by an animal. Good work.