The Civic Archaeological Museum of Milan will inaugurate tomorrow, Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 5 p.m., a new exhibition showcase designed to welcome and enhance one of its most important finds: the Patera of Parabiago. The initiative includes the extraordinary opening of only the Roman section of the museum until 6:30 p.m., allowing the public to view the gilded silver plate in a renovated and technologically advanced display setting. The new display case was donated by Goppion S.p.A., a company based in Milan and internationally recognized for the creation of display systems for museums. The donation is part of the research project “Smarteco - Study of materials and technologies aimed at improving preventive conservation and enhancement of cultural heritage in museum environments,” promoted by the National Research Council - Institute of Cultural Heritage Sciences, which the Civic Archaeological Museum joined in April 2025.
The new showcase was designed to integrate the latest technologies developed during the Smarteco project, enabling advanced scientific monitoring of the artifacts on display. Inside the showcase is a custom-made support made by 3D printing with materials compatible for the conservation of cultural property. This solution makes it possible to ensure optimal conditions of protection for the Parabiago Patera, while allowing its aesthetic and symbolic aspects to be enhanced.
The Patera of Parabiago represents one of the masterpieces of Roman toreutics in the late imperial period. Made of silver by lost-wax casting, with burin details and mercury-gilded finishes, the dish is also known for the iconographic and ritual value that characterizes its central scene. In the center of the dish are the goddess Cybele and her companion Attis, depicted on a chariot drawn by lions, in a scene reminiscent of the large dishes used during ritual libations on altars. The complexity of the figures and the precision of the details give the find a high symbolic value, making it one of the most studied and admired pieces in the museum.
The discovery of the Patera dates back to 1907, during construction work in Parabiago, a few kilometers from Milan. Since then, the dish has become part of the permanent collection of the Civic Archaeological Museum, where it represents one of the symbols of the Roman section and a landmark in the history of local art and archaeology. The object is the subject of studies and publications in academic circles and is used as an example of excellence in precious metalworking in the late Roman imperial period.
The adoption of the new display case testifies to the museum’s commitment to combining preventive conservation with exhibition enhancement. Thanks to the technological solutions implemented, the monitoring of environmental parameters and structural conditions of the support takes place in real time, reducing the risk of damage due to external factors and ensuring the stability and safety of the plate. The 3D-printed substrate, designed specifically for the artifact, also makes it possible to reduce direct contact points with the metal, preserving its surface and gilded finish. The initiative is part of a collaborative framework between museums and research centers aimed at integrating technological innovations into the management and conservation of cultural heritage. The experience of the Smarteco project, with the participation of research institutions and specialized companies, offers a replicable model for other institutions wishing to upgrade their display cases, improving the safety of exhibits and the quality of public enjoyment.
 |
| Milan, new display case at Civico Museo Archeologico for the Patera of Parabiago |
Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.
