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Ave!

Ram's-headed Patera handle terminal, ca. 1st-3rd Cent. A.D.

Copper alloy, 55mm/165.3gm (5.8oz!)

Con/ Cleaned and waxed

Ref/ Mills, 'Celtic & Roman Artefacts, R372

Seller's Note/ A common patera was simply a cooking vessel while others were meant only for ceremonial purposes such as pouring libations to the Gods. These images can be found on the reverses of any number of LRBC issues..."holding a patera from which liquor flows". The more common of these 'libation' pateras always featured virile masculine terminals such as a ram's or wolf's head (see the next two photos) and were used in the household shrines of wealthy Roman citizens. Cast hollow, such handles were light in weight.

Our terminal is exceptional as it was most certainly used in a temple with priestly attendants during the ceremony.  Lead-filled to counter-balance the patera bowl, the rams horns were cast in 3D. This terminal is extremely rare and rarely presented to the public at large. View the last photo to see it 'as arrived'.

Now perfectly conserved and fitted to a custom-made display stand, this remarkable piece of Roman history is now available for a ridiculous low price, only half of what you'd pay in a well-advertised auction.

This beautiful reminder of the glory of ancient Rome will grace your home or office and we'll be happy to put it on "lay away" for you so you can make easy low monthly payments. :-) Let us know!

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