Skip to main content
patera

patera

1 9.9
A round flat decoration with a carved flower-like shape used on buildings or furniture
  • noun
  • /ˈpætərə/
  • Specialized
: patera
  • The ancient temple's entrance was adorned with a beautifully carved patera above the doorway.

Examples

  • A bronze patera decorated the center of the ornate table in the palace hall.

  • Restorers carefully cleaned the marble patera to reveal its original intricate design.

  • The ancient temple featured a beautiful patera on the ceiling.

  • Many paterae were discovered during the archaeological dig.

  • The ancient temple's entrance was adorned with a beautifully carved patera above the doorway.

  • A bronze patera decorated the center of the ornate table in the palace hall.

  • Restorers carefully cleaned the marble patera to reveal its original intricate design.

Synonyms

paillette
vspatera
1 9.6

A small shiny disc that decorates clothes or crafts

is a decorative disk used on buildings, furniture, or metal pieces

How Decorative

patera
  • Specialized
1 9.9
rosette
3 6.9
medallion
  • US
1 6.7
stud
  • Specialized
21 6.1
boss
  • Specialized
1 9.3

Surface Forms

patera singular
paterae plural

Etymology

The word patera comes from Latin patera meaning 'shallow bowl' that people used in ceremonies, and the round, shallow shape was copied as a simple decoration on buildings and furniture. So a patera in architecture is like a small, flat dish turned into a decorative round disk.