The Ancient Roman Plate Hidden In Architecture

The patera was originally a shallow drinking vessel used in Roman rituals, but it eventually became a classic architectural ornament. You can find these circular discs carved into friezes and furniture throughout history.

In ancient times, the patera was a flat, saucer-like bowl used for pouring wine offerings to the gods. Over time, builders started replicating this shape in stone or wood as a decorative motif to break up long, plain moldings. These discs evolved into elegant architectural flourishes that range from simple carved reliefs to intricate inlaid patterns. Next time you see a circular medallion adorning a building facade, you are actually looking at the stylized shadow of a sacrificial dish.