Rare 16th-Century Antique Brass Nuremberg-Made “Paten” Plate of Large Proportions

A 16th-Century repousee-worked antique Nuremberg-made brass “paten” plate of large diameter, made as a copy of a 13th-Century Byzantine silver-gilt “paten” plate, originating from Constantinople.

The original 13th-Century example is held in the collection of the Treasury of The Halberstadt Cathedral. Also known as the Church of St Stephen and St Sixtus, Saxony, Germany and is catalogued as:

“Byzantium, 11th/12th century, inv. no. DS036

Silver, gold-plated, cast, repoussé, chased, engraved.”

Questions have been raised through the centuries of how a large, richly decorated bowl made from 2.25 kg (approximately 5lbs) of silver and gold get from Constantinople to Halberstadt in 1205? This precious, historically exciting work of art itself provides information about its history: the central medallion depicting the Crucifixion is surrounded by a Greek inscription saying, “Take, eat; this is my body, given to many for the forgiveness of sins.” Christ’s words at the Last Supper and the depiction indicate that the paten was used to hold bread at the Eucharist. This was celebrated with large loaves not by the Catholic Church, but the Orthodox Church. On the edge of the plate, medallions with portraits of martyrs and holy bishops of the Eastern Church encircle the scene, separated by arabesques. The episcopal saints and the Greek inscriptions confirm its origins in the Byzantine Empire.

The paten probably came from Constantinople itself; the Halberstadt bishop Konrad von Krosigk brought a plate of that type home from there and donated it to the cathedral in 1208.

Our example has built up a wonderful patination to the metal and has been much loved and cleaned during its existence! 

Provenance – Found in Sweden.

Condition – Please refer to the images. There is surface wear commensurate with age. The plate displays very well. A further detailed condition report is available upon request.

Size – Diameter – 40 cm (15 3/4″)