The Venetian patere: details in a city devoted to details.

Palazzo Vitturi in Campo Santa Maria Formosa
Particular decorations can be seen on the exposed terracotta facades of some Venetian palaces. These decorations are called patere and are a typical example of ornamental bas-reliefs.
They are made in white stone or marble from the Veneto-Byzantine era, with a diameter from 20 to 80 cm and a thickness of 10 cm. They could be confused with other square tiles but in general they are circular.

Detail
They were made following different processing techniques: flat modeling (the oldest), low or medium relief, strong overhang, concave bottom, openwork ( the more recent).
These ornaments came mainly from Constantinople and were reused and inserted into the facades as bare materials. They are a sign that distinguished the creativity of the skillful craftsmen of the past.

Detail