Patera
Patera (Latin patera) — a wide and deep vessel,resembling a ladle or frying pan,used in antiquity during rituals,in everyday life and in campaigns. It was made of metal or ceramic. Found metal paters often have a handle and resemble modern scoops. Paters were usually made of non-ferrous metals or alloys containing copper,silver or gold. Often the inside was tinned. Paters could be richly decorated with coinage,carved patterns and covered with precious metals.
Silver patera. 17 cm,weight 133 gr. Found in Britain. It was stored in Paris,but was stolen,certificate number 10357-168736. 2-3 century AD.
Iron patera. 23.8 cm. Weight-258 g. Found in the British Isles. 1-2 century AD
Bronze patera. Hermitage,St. Petersburg,1-2 century ADRitual and Daily Use
The patera could be both ritual and practical. In ceremonies it was used for libations to the gods, so the vessel often appears in the hands of priests, emperors and participants in sacrifice. In daily life a similar form is useful for ladling, serving liquid and cooking.
Decoration and Status
The richer the decoration, the more carefully a patera should be interpreted: some vessels belonged to display dining, gifts or temple contexts rather than rough camp kitchens. Ornament, silvering, tinning and repair marks help distinguish working cookware from prestige objects.
Related topics
Ancient military campaigns,Situla
Literature
1. H. Cool. Eating and Drinking in Roman Britain. 2. J. M. C. Toynbee. Animals in Roman Life and Art. 3. John Scheid. An Introduction to Roman Religion.
Silver patera from the treasure on Kerntnerstrasse,found in 1945,Vienna. 2nd century AD
Silver patera from the treasure on Kerntnerstrasse,found in 1945,Vienna. 2nd century AD
Silver patera from the treasure on Kerntnerstrasse,found in 1945,Vienna. 2nd century AD
Bronze patera. Capua. Diameter - 22 cm. The Hermitage Museum. # gr-5093. Entered in 1873. Mid-1st century AD
Bronze patera. University of Nottingham Museum. 1-3 century AD
Silver patera. Dimensions 7.4 x 20.6 x 11.2 cm. Metropolitan Museum of Art. 200-300 ADInterested in Ancient Rome beyond reading? Join Legio X Fretensis or explore our reenactment directions.
