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

U Number	Museum Number (UPM Date Reg Number)	Museum Number (BM Registration Number)	Museum Number (UPM B-number)	Description (Catalog Card)
12435A	30-12-696	(none)	(none)	[A] Copper bull's head and shell plaques [B]. From a wooden harp. The head (?) that of a calf rather than a bull is in good condition except that the horns are both damaged: the eyes are of lapis and shell and a triangular piece of lapis is inlaid in the forehead. The collar was of white shell triangles and lapis square. The shell plaques have, above, 3 rows of geometric design, each row on a separate strip of shell: then a figure scene, a single strip of geometrical design, another figure scene and 2 strips of geometrical design at the base. The figure scenes are in the mosaic, the white shell figures silhouetted against a composite background of lapis. In upper, a figure seated left holds in his raised right hand a cup while an attendant stands before him. In lower scene, 2 figures advance right, each with his hands raised and clasped in front of him. All the figures wear the fleeced skirt with a belt which forms a tail-like tassel behind: all are clean shaven as to the face but the standing figure s have a lock of hair hanging down the back of the head.
12444.1	30-12-581	(none)	(none)	[.1-.4] Beads. Double conoids. 31 of gold and a vast quantity of lapis all found scattered over the floor of the chamber.
12448	(none)	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Lapis. Lentoid shape. Subject: 2 men and 2 animals.
12450	30-12-559	(none)	(none)	Part of girdle? Formed of disks of lapis lazuli set in heavy heavy gold rings and threaded between bits of of lapis with convex edges to fit the rings. 3 complete discs and 4 links formed. [drawing]
12452	(none)	1929,1017.239	(none)	Beads. Rectangular oblongs of gold, lapis and carnelian. A few only, found loose on the floor, most clearly belonging together.
12453	(none)	(none)	(none)	Beads. A mixed lot of gold, lapis and carnelian found scattered over the floor of the tomb chamber.
12454	(none)	(none)	(none)	Beads. Lapis = mixed sorts. All collected from the floor of the chamber, SE end, when they were scattered in confusion.
12455	(none)	(none)	(none)	Beads. Large lapis bugles and smaller bugles. Found scattered over the SE end of the floor of the chamber.
12458	(none)	(none)	(none)	Beads. Lapis, mostly double conoids. Found loose on the chamber floor.
12460	(none)	(none)	(none)	Beads. Very small lapis ball or or tube-section beads, a very great number found scattered in the soil a little above the bhamber floor: probably from a headdress like that of the 'standard bearer' in PG 775.
12470	(none)	1929,1017.18	(none)	Cylinder seal. Lapis, with gold caps. 2 men and 2 lions fighting and an inscription intentionally defaced.
12471	30-12-38	(none)	(none)	Cylinder seal. Lapis with gold caps. Presentation scene with seated god and 2 standing figures.
12474.1	30-12-566	(none)	(none)	[.1-.2] Beads. A very long chain composed of large and small jasper, chalcedony, agate, sard, marble, carnelian and other stones, cut as bugles, lentoids, barrels and flattened square-ended lentoids, alternating with gold balls, some plain, some ribbed, and one with relief pattern. These seem to have formed one chain but it must have passed two or three time round the neck: the beads covered a considerable area but lay very thickly under the head. Restrung on original pattern but not in original order. [additional drawing on back of catalog card] [drawing]
12475	30-12-568	(none)	(none)	Beads. Beads of banded sard, square with levelled sided, forming a single necklace (original order).
12476	(none)	1929,1017.245	(none)	Beads. A string of carnelian balls and gold ribbed balls strung alternately (except in part when 2 gold come together).
12477	30-12-572	(none)	(none)	Beads. A string of flat gold diamond beads, carnelian diamonds small gold balls and small carnelian balls. (restrung as far as possible in the original order).
12600	30-12-606	(none)	(none)	Necklace. Carnelian ring beads.
12615	(none)	1929,1017.477	(none)	Beads. Forming a bracelet. Small double conoids of twisted gold wire alternating with carnelian rings and bugles.
12617	(none)	(none)	(none)	Necklace. Slender gold tubes. Carnelian rings. A few minute blue? Glazed frit. 5 large beads consisting of 2 gold worked double conoids, 2 carnelian balls, 1 agate bugle. [drawing]
12622	(none)	(none)	(none)	Beads. Silver and lapis diamonds, balls and small bugles. 2 large carnelian bugles. 1 greenish (chalcedony?) flat lentoid.
12631	(none)	1929,1017.326	(none)	[A] Beads. A motley collection including: rock crystal balls, hematite balls, shell and (Chrysoprase?) [chalcedony] bugles (broken), [B.1-.3] 2 unpierced steatite cylinders (for seals). 1 - unpierced marble cylinder (ditto) and [C] fragment of an obsidian mace head. (truncated pear shaped).
12632	(none)	1929,1017.255	(none)	Necklace. Small beads. Carnelian and gold balls.
12638E	(none)	(none)	(none)	Group: [A] (1) Copper pin. [B] (2) Copper pin. [C] (3) Copper pin. [D] (4) Silver earring spiral coils thickened lunate ends. [E] (5) Beads - minute. Lapis bugles, carnelian rings, lapis lentoids, white paste tristed bugles.
12642	(none)	(none)	(none)	Beads. Carnelian bugle and remains of silver bugle on a wooden core.
12646	(none)	(none)	(none)	Necklace. Lapis bugles. Carnelian rings. Silver tubular spheres. See field notes.