Dan RUSCU (“Babeş-Bolyai” University, Cluj)
THE PATERNUS PLATE AND ITS SYMBOLISM
Keywords: silver paten, Eucharist, Christian symbols, Chrismon, early Byzantine silverware.
Abstract: The Paternus Plate and its Symbolism. The eucharistic disk attributed to bishop Paternus of Tomis is a well-known artifact of the 6th century. Since its discovery in 1912 it was approached from several perspectives, going from the evolution of the late antique and early Byzantine art to the study of the foreign policy of the Eastern Roman Empire. The present study takes into discussion the symbolic significance of its decoration and reads it in the larger context of the artistic evolution of Byzantium before iconoclasm. Regarded in the context of the silver patens of the 6th century, the central monogram of Christ on the Paternus plate reveals itself as representing more than just an ornament. For the believer it had a clear symbolic significance: it represented Christ himself offering him the Communion. The central motive was also connected to the border decoration, containing eucharistic symbols familiar to the contemporary viewer from several religious texts and discourses. Regarding such a eucharistic artifact with eusebeia, the 6th century believer was introduced into a salvific atmosphere, allowing him a glimpse into eternity.