This category includes seals that are cylindrical in shape. These are made from various materials, and have various scenes carved into them.  They are rolled onto a mud or clay object to created an impression. 

Objects: Cylinder Seals Export: JSON - XML - CSV

Object U Number Museum Number (UPM Date Reg Number) Museum Number (BM Registration Number) Museum Number (UPM B-number) Description (Catalog Card)
18307 (none) 1933,1013.235 (none) Jeweller's trial piece. Fragment of a large pot of of light drab clay on which is roughly scratched the design for a cylinder seal. Subject: seated god and standing god introducing a man behind whom is an ostrich (?).
11602 (none) (none) (none) Inscribed Cylinder. Yellowish pebble. Unpierced. Roughly cut. 2 figures saluting an emblem (crescent on staff) Inscrip. Ur-Ki-sikil-la dumu A-tu-mug. HC.1928/9-1.
16804 (none) (none) (none) Hematite cylinder seal. Warad- ^dSamas dumu Zi-iz-tum Warad Bur- ^dSin
16802 (none) (none) (none) Hematite cylinder seal. ^d.Nin-gal-la-ma-zi, dumu-sal ^dSin-ma-an gim ^d.Lugal-ban-da
16558 (none) (none) (none) Haematite cylinder seal. "O divine Gimil-Sin, "mighty king, "King of Ur; "Ahuni, "the cup-bearer, "is thy servant." H.C. 30/II, 14.
17806C (none) (none) (none) Groups: From one burial. (A) Gold fillet, of narrow thin ribbon, twisted. (B) [B.1-.2] A pair of gold earrings, each consisting of two complete earrings intertwined, of the small hollow lunate type: in each case, one earring is fatter than the other: D.'s 15mm and 13mm respectively. One hoop is broken. (C) Cylinder seal, lapis lazuli, standing, human figures roughly cut. (D) Gold finger ring, hollow tube pressed in along the periphery thus [drawing]. (E) Beads: gold and carnelian, lapis and silver diamonds: gold and carnelian barrels and double conoids; mixed types, large lentoids, bugles, balls and double conoids of carnelian, agate, lapis. For order see field notes.
16927A (none) 1931,1010.11 (none) Group: objects found together and belonging to a manufacturer of cylinder seals. (A) Limestone fragment, a trial piece with first sketches of 3 standing figures; (B) Limestone fragment, a trial piece with one standing figure nearly finished; (C) Uncut and unpierced cylinders of shell, steatite and limestone; (D) Unfinished beads of rock crystal; (E) Part of an eye of a statue; etc. (F) Limestone fragment a trial piece with the lower parts of 2 standing nude male figures (this was brought in separately, cf. U.16994) (G) Square of red limestone, sculptors trial pieces with unfinished figures of man and dog. [These objects were relettered on the card as follows: C=E, D=F, E=G, F=C, and G=D. Entries in this database, however, follow original lettering]
16927B (none) 1931,1010.10 (none) Group: objects found together and belonging to a manufacturer of cylinder seals. (A) Limestone fragment, a trial piece with first sketches of 3 standing figures; (B) Limestone fragment, a trial piece with one standing figure nearly finished; (C) Uncut and unpierced cylinders of shell, steatite and limestone; (D) Unfinished beads of rock crystal; (E) Part of an eye of a statue; etc. (F) Limestone fragment a trial piece with the lower parts of 2 standing nude male figures (this was brought in separately, cf. U.16994) (G) Square of red limestone, sculptors trial pieces with unfinished figures of man and dog. [These objects were relettered on the card as follows: C=E, D=F, E=G, F=C, and G=D. Entries in this database, however, follow original lettering]
16927C (none) 1931,1010.232 (none) Group: objects found together and belonging to a manufacturer of cylinder seals. (A) Limestone fragment, a trial piece with first sketches of 3 standing figures; (B) Limestone fragment, a trial piece with one standing figure nearly finished; (C) Uncut and unpierced cylinders of shell, steatite and limestone; (D) Unfinished beads of rock crystal; (E) Part of an eye of a statue; etc. (F) Limestone fragment a trial piece with the lower parts of 2 standing nude male figures (this was brought in separately, cf. U.16994) (G) Square of red limestone, sculptors trial pieces with unfinished figures of man and dog. [These objects were relettered on the card as follows: C=E, D=F, E=G, F=C, and G=D. Entries in this database, however, follow original lettering]
17805C (none) (none) (none) Group: From one burial. [drawing] (A) Copper chopper. Broken but complete. (B) Copper tumbler, the sides slightly carinated, the base raised, in bad condition. (C) Cylinder seal, black steatite; seated figure and criss cross background. (D)A few beads. Lapis, carnelian, agate and steatite lentoids (the last with criss-cross incised decoration) and one gold ball.
12641C (none) (none) (none) Group: [A] (1) Copper bowl hemispherical. Distorted. [B] (2) Copper pin - straight type. [C] (3) Cylinder seal. Glazed frit in bad condition. Presentation scene.
12705D 30-12-348 (none) (none) Group: [A] (1) Beads. Small lapis tubes carnelian rings and bugles. [B] (2) Copper reticule containing manicure tools. [C] (3) Copper dagger with ivory and silver handle. Type II B. Tip missing. [D] (4) Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli adhering to blade of 3, not photographed. Men and animals poor cutting. [E] (5) Spindles copper with lapis whorl.
12637D (none) 1895,1214.301 (none) Group: [A-B] 1) Two copper reticules containing manicure implements attached to a ring. Both broken. [C] 2) Copper dagger Type I A. [D] Cylinder seal. Shell with copper caps. Presentation scene before enthroned god. Poor condition.
12390C 31-17-119 (none) (none) Group: [A] Silver wire spiral coil hair ring (one). [B] Necklace of lapis and silver double conoid beads. [C] White shell cylinder seal much decayed: subject, 1 human figure and 4 fighting animals, heraldically crossed. [D] Copper pin with painted head [Type] IV B.
12380Y 30-12-3 (none) (none) Group: [A] Gold hair ribbon. [B]Wreath of gold medallions with lapis canters on a string of lapis and carnelian beads [C] Wreath of triple gold willow leaves on carnelian and lapis beads. [D] Wreath of gold beech leaves on carnelian and lapis beads. [E.1-.2] Two large gold lunate earrings. [F.1-.2] Two gold wire spiral coil hair rings. [G-I] 3 gold flowers on silver stems. [J] Silver comb with 3 inlaid flowers. [K] Necklace of gold and lapis triangles. [L] Necklace of gold and lapis tubular beads and carnelian rings (for order see field notes). [M] Necklace of large fluted ball beads gold and lapis and carnelian rings: (for order see field notes). [N] Necklace of Carnelian and gold double conoids and carnelian rings. [O] Necklace of carnelian rings, gold balls and lapis rounds. [P]Bracelet of large lapis and gold, lapis and carnelian rings. [Q-V] Six gold finger-rings, all of cable pattern between plain rims of different sizes. [W] Bracelet of 4 lapis and 4 gold. Diamond beads and carnelian rings. [X] Gold pin with lapis ball head [Type] V. [Y] Lapis cylinder seal. [Z] Silver pin with lapis head [Type] VI B.
12413I (none) (none) (none) Group: [A] Gold hair ribbon. [B.1-.2] Large gold lunate earrings. [C] Wreath of gold leaves on lapis and carnelian beads. [D] Silver comb with inlaid flowers. [E] Necklace of gold and lapis triangles. [F] Necklace of gold and lapis ball beads. [G] Necklace of gold and lapis ribbed ball beads. [H] Necklace of quartz, carnelian and gold beads. [I] Lapis cylinder seal. [J] Silver pin with lapis head [Type] VI B. [K] Bracelet of gold and lapis tubular beads and carnelian rings (for order see field notes). [L] A second similar bracelet. [M] Cockle shells with green paint.
12677A (none) 1929,1017.380 (none) Group: [A] Cylinder seal lapis lazuli. Geometric decoration. [B] Beads. Carnelian rings and lapis double conoids also 1 mottled marble barrel bead. [C-D] Earrings. Silver. A pair. 1 1/2 spiral coils with thickened lunate ends and [E] 1 copper. [F] Copper finger ring.
12701B (none) (none) (none) Group: [A] 1) Copper pin. L. 250mm with lapis ball head and gold caps. Type V B. [B] 2) Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. L. 20mm, D. 11mm. Two heroes (one wearing feathered headdress) and rampant animals. [C] 3) Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli L. 30mm, D. 7mm. Two registers. Above and below: rampant animals. [D] 4) Beads forming a necklace of 3 strings: gold, lapis and carnelian barrels. [E] 5) Beads. Long lentoids of gold and lapis and in center a small gold frog amulet L. 10mm, W. 10mm. [F-G] 6) Gold earrings. A pair. Small 1 1/2 coils. Lunate. [H-I] 7) Two bracelets. [H] One plain silver, the [I] other plain copper. [J] 8) Stone bowl. Calcite. Greyish. Nearly hemispherical. [Type] IX. [K] 9) Stone vase. White calcite [Type] LVI. [L] 10) Silver finger (?) ring. Very small. 1 1/2 coils.
12701C (none) (none) (none) Group: [A] 1) Copper pin. L. 250mm with lapis ball head and gold caps. Type V B. [B] 2) Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. L. 20mm, D. 11mm. Two heroes (one wearing feathered headdress) and rampant animals. [C] 3) Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli L. 30mm, D. 7mm. Two registers. Above and below: rampant animals. [D] 4) Beads forming a necklace of 3 strings: gold, lapis and carnelian barrels. [E] 5) Beads. Long lentoids of gold and lapis and in center a small gold frog amulet L. 10mm, W. 10mm. [F-G] 6) Gold earrings. A pair. Small 1 1/2 coils. Lunate. [H-I] 7) Two bracelets. [H] One plain silver, the [I] other plain copper. [J] 8) Stone bowl. Calcite. Greyish. Nearly hemispherical. [Type] IX. [K] 9) Stone vase. White calcite [Type] LVI. [L] 10) Silver finger (?) ring. Very small. 1 1/2 coils.
12256N (none) (none) (none) Group: [A] (1) Wreath of 16 gold beech leaves on lapis & carnelian strings. [B] (2) Frontlet of gold, lentoid shaped, rosette decoration on long gold wire ties, looped one end, the other end consists of a carnelian ring bead the wire being coiled to prevent it from falling off. Frontlet is bent double. [C] (3) Gold coil earring. 2 1/2 coils. [D] (4) Gold coil earring. 1 1/2 coils. [E-F] (5) 2 gold chains. Double twisted links giving a square section. Strung with 1 gold facetted lentoid & 2 lapis ditto.with carnelian ring beads in between. [G] (6) Whetstone. [H] (7) Silver pin with lapis ball head & gold cap, straight, circular in section. [I] (8) Beads. Large carnelian bugles and small lapis double conoids & 1 jasper bugle; flattened carnelian double conoids & flattened rectangular lapis beads one with a rib down middle. [J] (9) Copper Axe. Type XIX. [K](10) Bowl. White calcite. [Type IX] [drawing] [L](11) Stone bowl. White calcite. [M] (12) Ostrich shell badly broken. Traces of red paint. [N] (13) Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli 2 registers: above, banquet scene; below, men fighting crossed animals- -lions.
12664F (none) 1929,1017.305 (none) Group: [A] (1) Wooden comb completely broken. [B] (2) Clay bottle, smoked grey ware. [C] (3) Earring - silver and copper intertwined lunate ends. 1 1/2 spiral coils. [D] 1 silver finger ring plain and [E] 1 copper [finger ring]. [F] Lapis cylinder seal. Two enthroned bird men sucking straws from a champagne vase . [G] Small beads. Lapis and silver rings and one large flat square lapis.
12258F (none) (none) (none) Group: [A] (1) Stone vase; white calcite. [B] (2) Stone bowl. White calcite. [C] (3) Stone Bowl. white calcite. badly broken. [D] (4) Silver pin with lapis & gold head. [E] (5) Silver pin with lapis ball head. Straight type. [F] (6) Cylinder seal; lapis lazuli. 2 registers: banqueting scene. [G] (7) Bracelet, gold & lapis beads; flat gold 4 fold spacers with small lapis beads between. [H] (8) Bracelet. Gold & lapis beads. Flat square type with central rib; gold & lapis alternatively. [I] (9) Necklace of gold & lapis. [J] (10) Necklace of gold. [K] (11) Necklace of silver filigree pendants hung on a 2 row chain of blue lentoid bugles & carnelian rings & agate bugles & fluted gold balls. [L] (12) Necklace of gold filigree pendants on a 2 row chain of blue lentoid bugles and cernelian rings and against bugles and fluted gold balls. [M] (13) Necklace of blue & gold ball beads, gold wire-wound beads & very small glazed rings. All small. [N] (14) Wreath of gold beech leaves on lapis & carnelian beads. [O] (15)Gold ribbon. [P] (16) Gold earrings, large lunate type. [Q] (17) Gold wire spiral coil hair-rings. 2 1/2 coils. [R] (18) Lapis bead: Large romboid. [S-W] (19) Five gold finger rings. Made of fine strands of twisted gold wire. [X] (20) Silver comb. Forked type with rosettes.
12704H (none) 1929,1017.371 (none) Group: [A] (1) Stone vase. White calcite. Type same as U.12277 [Type] LII. [B] (2) Stone vase. White calcite. Spill type. [drawing 1:5] [C] (3) Stone bowl grey steatite. Broken but complete [Type] LXXXVI. [D] (4) Stone bowl. White calcite. [Type] LIII. [drawing 2:5] [E] (5) Three silver finger rings: corroded together - only one intact - consisting of 3 1/2 coils of fine wire. [F] (6) Remains of copper pin with fluted lapis ball head. Type V B. [G] (7) Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. 2 registers. Above: spread eagles and rampant gazelles (?). Below: Gazelles. [H] (8) Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. Rampant lions crossed and gazelles. [I] (9) Beads. Lapis bugles and double conoids. Carnelian bugles and rings and some silver wire pendants much decayed. See field note. The silver spiral pendants had 4 circles of spiral coils made out of a single strip of wire thus [reference to drawing]. [drawing] [J] Also in the necklace a minute lapis lazuli frog amulet. [K] Round forehead thin gold ribbon. [drawing] [L] Large double conoid carnelian beads and a few bugles and one calcite bead shaped thus [reference to drawing], diamond shaped in section.
12707G (none) (none) (none) Group: [A] (1) Stone vase, white calcite. For type see field ntoes. [Type] LXXVI. [B] (2) Stone bowl, white calcite. Broken badly. Type XIX. [C] (3) Copper lamp normal type cut as a shell. L. 140mm. L. of spout 100mm with ring at end for suspension. [D] (4) Beads. Carnelian rings probably a bracelet with thin silver wire bracelets elliptical, broken and decayed. [E] (5) Silver wire finger ring. [F] (6) Frontlet of beads. 1 lapis bugle and 2 carnelian bugles [G] (7) Cylinder seal. Shell. Much decayed. [H] (8) Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli originally suspended on a silver wire. Subject. [I] (9) Copper strainer. Corroded with it. Normal type. [J] (10) A copper tumbler. Straight sided [Type] LVII. [K] (11) Copper axe type XXI. [L] (12) Copper holdfasts. Croquet hook type. [drawing] [M] (13) Copper pin. Type V B. Lapis ball head corroded with: [N] 14) Copper dagger type II B.
12707H (none) (none) (none) Group: [A] (1) Stone vase, white calcite. For type see field ntoes. [Type] LXXVI. [B] (2) Stone bowl, white calcite. Broken badly. Type XIX. [C] (3) Copper lamp normal type cut as a shell. L. 140mm. L. of spout 100mm with ring at end for suspension. [D] (4) Beads. Carnelian rings probably a bracelet with thin silver wire bracelets elliptical, broken and decayed. [E] (5) Silver wire finger ring. [F] (6) Frontlet of beads. 1 lapis bugle and 2 carnelian bugles [G] (7) Cylinder seal. Shell. Much decayed. [H] (8) Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli originally suspended on a silver wire. Subject. [I] (9) Copper strainer. Corroded with it. Normal type. [J] (10) A copper tumbler. Straight sided [Type] LVII. [K] (11) Copper axe type XXI. [L] (12) Copper holdfasts. Croquet hook type. [drawing] [M] (13) Copper pin. Type V B. Lapis ball head corroded with: [N] 14) Copper dagger type II B.

Child Terms

Trial Pieces