The link says,

This finely worked and ornate vessel was used for serving food or drink at dinner parties or for pouring libations at religious ceremonies. Such high-quality bronze paterae often have a wolf or ram’s head finial to the handle.

… though I know the Romans used similar vessels for sauces and as frying pans.

Put a good seasoning on it and you could fry some eggs! I bet they slide around like a hockey puck!