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)
18365	33-35-176	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. 3 standing figures.
16122	31-43-50	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. Banquet scene, 2 seated figures drinking from a common cup out of tubes. Behind one of them a standing figure. Poor cutting.
11112	(none)	(none)	B16880	Cylinder Seal. Lapis lazuli. Bird headed men fighting bearded bulls and gazelles. One hero wears a four pronged comb at back of head.
11825	30-12-1	(none)	(none)	Cylinder Seal. Lapis Lazuli. Gazelle attacked by bull, & gazelle attacked by 2 bulls. Inscription: Su-sikil(?) DINGER-SES-AB lugal-ni Kalam-dug-dam. We expect dam-Kalam-dug and perhaps this is possible. ni is written between lines 2 &3, and dam between lines 3 & 4, but both at the end (right). Provisional translation: -Pure Hand (=Handmaid ?) of Nannar (new ideogram.) her King. Kalam-dug-dam (or Dam-Kalam-dug =Wife of the good land).
12720	30-12-17	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. Rampant animals crossed. Poor cutting.
12674	30-12-4	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. Strung in their silver wire ring. Bearded bulls, lions and antelopes all rampant.
12654	30-12-12	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. Two registers. Bird headed men - rampant animals.
6133	(none)	(none)	B16294	Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. Upper and lower band showing gazelles passing sacred tree. About 3000 BC. E.
1054	(none)	(none)	B15276	Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli. Very small.
7956	(none)	(none)	B16856	Cylinder seal. Lapis lazuli: tall slender type broken in antiquity; mended. Two registers: above, 2 worshipers approaching a seated goddess with crescent. Below, 3 worshipers approaching a seated goddess with star; behind her a tree.
12471	30-12-38	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Lapis with gold caps. Presentation scene with seated god and 2 standing figures.
11895	30-12-15	(none)	(none)	Cylinder Seal. Lapis. 2 ibex walking.
11828	30-12-5	(none)	(none)	Cylinder Seal. Lapis. 2 registers: above, banquet; below, 2 gazelles. (rough & early work).
8615	(none)	(none)	B16828	Cylinder seal. Lapis. 2 registers: above: three seated deities(?) with a worshipper in front of each. Below: door: 3 seated and 3 standing figures. Archaic style.
11899	30-12-21	(none)	(none)	Cylinder Seal. Lapis. Geometrical design.
11590	30-12-34	(none)	(none)	Cylinder Seal. Lapis. Inscription: Lugal-sa(g)-su(d) dumu Ka-ma.
11757	30-12-13	(none)	(none)	Cylinder Seal. Lapis. Sides slightly convex. 2 registers: gazelles rough linear drawing.
17318	(none)	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Limestone. Grey. Tree and criss cross decoration.
18457	33-35-178	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Milky crystal. Geometrical (?) designs in 2 registers.
11507	30-12-30	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Of green marble (?) Unfinished. The hole is only partly bored. One standing figure has been sketched but not finished, of a second only the trunk is suggested.
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.
12795A	30-12-18	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Steatite. Squat furniture type. Poor cutting. Stags? In procession and signs of doubtful import.
6752	(none)	(none)	B16283	Cylinder seal. White crystal. Plain. E.
11110	(none)	(none)	B16897	Cylinder Seal? lapis lazuli. Minute linear incisions oblique to the vertical axis of the seal. 2 registers. [drawing]
16653	31-43-154	(none)	(none)	Flat amethyst seal, and 5 carnelian beads.