Roman Bronze Patera
Italy, 1st - 2nd century C.E. (?)
(HFMA# 2004.069.010, gift of James and Aneta McIntyre)
These shallow bowls were used to pour libations, sacrifices of wine or other liquids.
This remarkably well-preserved bronze patera (or offering dish), probably Roman, features a shallow concave bowl with a square lip, a ring base (with a central raised disc and three concentric rings), and a single vertical handle (with three central ridges and ends curled and soldered with lead to the bowl).