1st-2nd century AD. A substantial high status bronze patera with rolled rim and raised boss to the centre, cast columnar handle with ram's head finial, palmette to the junction. [A video of this lot is available on the TimeLine Auctions website] 1.1 kg, 34.5cm (13 1/2"). Property of a North London collector; acquired in the 1970s. A patera was a broad shallow dish or bowl of a type often used as a sacred libation vessel. It was frequently used as a decorative religious motif and was used especially by the pontiffs in Rome. Very often they were highly decorated and some had a central boss so they could be held in ones hand, similar to the Graeco-Persian mesamphalos dish, though many had a handle, as in this example. They were mostly produced in bronze, though silver and pewter examples are known. The ram's head on this example could allude to the ritual nature of the piece as the ram was a favoured sacrificial animal at Roman festivals. As well as a ritual function they also had a domestic use; many bronze paterae similar to this example were discovered in the houses of Pompeii and Herculaneum. A fresco from the tomb of Vestorius Priscus at Pompeii shows a patera and pitcher at the foot of a table that is laid with a luxurious silver beverage service. At homes, and in reception halls, they were brought to guests before a meal so that the guests could wash their hands. Since the Romans ate with their fingers, this procedure would be repeated during the meal.

Very fine condition, small crack to rim.