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)
6752	(none)	(none)	B16283	Cylinder seal. White crystal. Plain. 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.
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.
6133	(none)	(none)	B16294	Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. Upper and lower band showing gazelles passing sacred tree. About 3000 BC. E.
6091	(none)	(none)	B16311	Cylinder seal. Black basalt. Nannar, minor god and votary. E.
487	(none)	(none)	B15256	Chalcedony seal. Same shape as U.486. Subject [referencing drawin] [drawing]
19075	35-1-7	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. Two registers: in each, a row of animals, the rows inverted.
18994	35-1-14	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. Two hunters fighting a lion.
18981	35-1-21	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Green stone. 2 heroes fighting lions.
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.)
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.)
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.
18914	35-1-6	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. Two registers: above, two heroes each fighting with two beasts below, seated and standing figures.
18457	33-35-178	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Milky crystal. Geometrical (?) designs in 2 registers.
18365	33-35-176	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. 3 standing figures.
18284	33-35-170	(none)	(none)	Stamp seal. Facetted conical: chalcedony. Persian type. Two standing figures worshipping before an altar: crescent above.
18218	33-35-171	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Carnelian. Broken and incomplete. [drawing] Conventional design.
18155	32-40-327	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Pale amethyst. Warrior in chariot shooting with bow and arrow: a fallen enemy beneath the horse's hooves. Poor cutting.
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.
17715	32-40-322	(none)	(none)	Seal. Persian type. Chalcedone. Pierced for threading, engraved lines on face [drawing 1:1].
17318	(none)	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Limestone. Grey. Tree and criss cross decoration.
17315	31-43-45	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Hematite. Black. Cut down. Three standing figures, an animal, crescent moon. Two wedge like signs.
17251	31-43-43	(none)	(none)	Cylinder Seal [CARD MISSING Typed Transcription from British Museum Card]
16743	31-43-46	(none)	(none)	Quartz cylinder. Unengraved. Unpierced. cf. U. 16606. [drawing 1:1]
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.