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)
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.
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?
18218	33-35-171	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Carnelian. Broken and incomplete. [drawing] Conventional design.
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.
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
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.
15309	31-17-22	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Lapis. Presentation scene. Poor cutting.
19075	35-1-7	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. Two registers: in each, a row of animals, the rows inverted.
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.
18994	35-1-14	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. Two hunters fighting a lion.
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.
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.
18981	35-1-21	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Green stone. 2 heroes fighting lions.
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.
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.)
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.
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]
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.
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.
8926	(none)	(none)	B16888	Cylinder seal. Lapis Lazuli. 2 registers. Above: 1 seated and 2 standing figures. Below: men [illegible] animals
8917	(none)	(none)	B16867	Cylinder seal. Green Stone Above, string pattern [drawing] Below, 2 seated and 2 standing gods
16656	31-43-62	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal, carnelian. 2 bird-like beasts and star.
17251	31-43-43	(none)	(none)	Cylinder Seal [CARD MISSING Typed Transcription from British Museum Card]