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
Object | U Number | Museum Number (UPM Date Reg Number) | Museum Number (BM Registration Number) | Museum Number (UPM B-number) | Description (Catalog Card) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 18981 | 35-1-21 | (none) | (none) | Cylinder seal. Green stone. 2 heroes fighting lions. |
![]() | 14041 | 31-17-17 | (none) | (none) | Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. 2 registers: above; bird-headed men sucking drink from a bowl through a tube. Below; spread eagle and a pair of goats. |
15043 | 31-17-19 | (none) | (none) | Cylinder Seal. Lapis lazuli. Presentation. Star in crescent. Inscription dNin-gal-nam-nin-kho-ul dumu lu-dingir-ra N. son of L. scribe. HC.103. | |
![]() | 18994 | 35-1-14 | (none) | (none) | Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. Two hunters fighting a lion. |
![]() | 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. |
![]() | 19075 | 35-1-7 | (none) | (none) | Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. Two registers: in each, a row of animals, the rows inverted. |
15309 | 31-17-22 | (none) | (none) | Cylinder seal. Lapis. Presentation scene. Poor cutting. | |
6091 | (none) | (none) | B16311 | Cylinder seal. Black basalt. Nannar, minor god and votary. 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. | |
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. | |
![]() | 18218 | 33-35-171 | (none) | (none) | Cylinder seal. Carnelian. Broken and incomplete. [drawing] Conventional design. |
8714 | (none) | (none) | B17033 | Cylinder seal. Crystal. Two registers. Above: Male figure approaching from behind a lion? in front of the lion a fallen gazelle and in front of the gazelle a winged dragon. Below: A winged dragon, and second similar? and a rampant gazelle? | |
11418 | 30-12-29 | (none) | (none) | Cylinder seal. Green Jasper. Two men fighting 2 lions, the latter heraldically crossed, and an inscription in 2 lines. Inscription: UrdGIS-BIL-ga-mes dub-sar sumu Urd KA-DI = Ur-Gilgames scribe, son of Ur-KA-DI. HC.1928/9-2. | |
12017 | 30-12-43 | (none) | (none) | Cylinder Seal. Green stone. | |
11961 | 30-12-28 | (none) | (none) | Cylinder Seal. Green stone. 2 Heroes fighting a lion & a bull. | |
11483 | 30-12-27 | (none) | (none) | Cylinder seal. Green stone. Scene: 2 men fighting 2 animals. | |
11492 | 30-12-25 | (none) | (none) | Cylinder seal. Green stone. Scene: 3 men & 2 lions fighting: one of the men has 4 bulls legs. | |
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. | |
17315 | 31-43-45 | (none) | (none) | Cylinder seal. Hematite. Black. Cut down. Three standing figures, an animal, crescent moon. Two wedge like signs. | |
![]() | 7896 | (none) | (none) | B16883 | Cylinder seal. hematite. Black. Hero wearing conical cap and short garment which only falls to the knees, and carrying a bird? in his left hand approaches a standing deity wearing high headdress and flounced kaunakes skirt. Behind the hero, naked Ishtar. |
7552 | (none) | (none) | B16885, B16885 | Cylinder seal. hematite. Black. Inscribed. Scene of worship. Shamash standing with left foot on raised step, right foot on ground, left hand raised to greet heavily draped male figure whose left shoulder is bare. Behind a goddess wearing flounced kaunakes skirt with hands upraised, and behind goddess AIA? a warrior with a bent staff carried in right arm. Below the inscription a Simish. Attributes: crescent and moon and Simish. Inscription: ^dBABBAR(^ilSumas): ^dA-A(^ilAia). | |
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. | |
8006 | (none) | (none) | B16889 | Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. 2 registers: above, 2 seated figures, table and door. Below, 2 animals? Very deep cutting and most primitive style. | |
12041 | 30-12-16 | (none) | (none) | Cylinder Seal. Lapis Lazuli. 2 registers: Animals. Poorly cut. Stags galloping. |
Related Terms
Apatite - Aragonite - Calcite Group - Chlorite - Dolomite - Feldspar - Gypsum - Magnesite - Pigment - Serpentine
Child Terms
Amber - Chalcedony - Chrysoberyl - Hematite - Iron Pyrite - Jadeite - Lapis Lazuli - Malachite - Quartz - Turquoise
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Parent Terms
Inorganic Remains > Stones and Minerals > Mineral > Semi-precious