Patera

In the material culture of classical antiquity, a patera (Latin pronunciation: [ˈpatɛra]) or phiale (Ancient Greek: φιάλη [pʰi.á.lɛː])^[2] is a shallow ceramic or metal libation bowl. It often has a bulbous indentation (omphalos, "belly button") in the center underside to facilitate holding it, in which case it is sometimes called a mesomphalic phiale. It typically has no handles, and no feet.

Although the two terms may be used interchangeably, particularly in the context of Etruscan culture, phiale is more common in reference to Greek forms, and patera in Roman settings.^[3] The form should be distinguished from a drinking cup with handles, which is a kylix, and a circular platter with a pair of C-handles is not a patera, though a few paterae have single long straight handles.