Cast Bronze Patera, ram's head detail

Archaeology (Verulamium Museum)

2003.319

Detail of ram's head handle terminal from cast bronze Roman patera. This patera has a fluted handle terminating in a rams head, it nostrils picked out in silver with a silver band behind the head and silvered leaf decoration at the junction of the handle and bowl. Paterae had a range of functions; plain ones were used as frying pans, while more decorative examples such as this were used in religious services. Most excavated examples have been found in burials. From main burial one, one of two early 2nd century AD Romano-British burials discovered at Turner's Hall Farm, Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire, in March 2002.

1) Photo Studio

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