Patera

The patera is both an ancient Greek and Roman vessel which was used especially in the South Italian and Roman cult.

The Patera, sometimes referred to as a button bowl with handle, is a special form of Apulian pottery. The large, counting up to 70 centimeters in diameter bowls are on the edge of two handles that are occupied and surrounded by buttons. Inside images were often shown, frequently tomb scenes. Outdoor images were applied less frequently. It is unclear for what purposes these bowls were used exactly sure but seems a ritual purpose. In most cases the form was created from clay.

The Roman version of the Patera is similar to the Greek Phiale. The shell shape is flat, round and handleless and has in the middle of an inwardly curved hump ( omphalos ). The form was as a sacrificial bowl in the entire Roman culture use. From the shell, the libation ( libatio ), especially the wine sacrifice was made. Similarly, the head of the sacrificial animal was watered from the shell prior to sacrifice, after the sacrifices the animal's blood was collected with the Patera. But to drink this blood out of the shell was considered moral turpitude. At least since the second half of the 1st century AD and shells were named for the oblation called Patera. Western sources also report on mundane uses as a drinking vessel at the table. Particularly magnificent forms were intended as votive and also as an expression of pietas. The distinction of Patera and patella on representations is usually very difficult. The vessel was made ​​of various materials, as clay or metal, are created.