The erection of elaborate ciboria or baldachins over high altars had been common practice in Rome throughout the Early Middle Ages. The figurative element of these constructions was mostly limited to the carving of capitals, so that the principal decorative effect was gained through the application of glass mosaic to the surfaces of the architectural features. Although Arnolfo's first ciborium (1285), for San Paolo fuori le Mura, belongs to this tradition it departs quite radically from the earlier ciboria in both embracing the Gothic forms of France and creating a programme of sculpture which complemented the decorative scheme of the basilica's interior and referred specifically to its setting.

The ciborium over the high altar of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere (1293) is similar to that in San Paolo fuori le Mura in type but simpler in construction and somewhat modified in both its form and proportions.

Preview	Picture Data	File Info	Comment
	Interior view 1285 Photo San Paolo fuori le Mura, Rome	1024*755 True Color 148 Kb
	Ciborium 1285 Marble, with polychromatic incrustations San Paolo fuori le Mura, Rome	1000*1015 True Color 246 Kb
	Ciborium 1285 Marble, with polychromatic incrustations San Paolo fuori le Mura, Rome	800*1371 True Color 163 Kb
	Ciborium (detail) 1285 Marble, with polychromatic incrustations San Paolo fuori le Mura, Rome	994*1500 True Color 277 Kb
	Ciborium (detail) 1285 Marble, with polychromatic incrustations San Paolo fuori le Mura, Rome	820*983 True Color 189 Kb
	Ciborium 1293 Marble Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, Rome	800*962 True Color 182 Kb
	Ciborium 1293 Marble Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, Rome	800*1200 True Color 279 Kb
	Ciborium 1293 Marble Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, Rome	1133*1700 True Color 282 Kb
	Ciborium 1293 Marble Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, Rome	1125*1500 True Color 277 Kb
	Interior view 1293 Photo Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, Rome	1700*1133 True Color 214 Kb
	Ciborium 1293 Marble Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, Rome	930*1155 True Color 192 Kb
	Ciborium (detail) 1293 Marble Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, Rome	650*1130 True Color 122 Kb
	Ciborium (detail) 1293 Marble Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, Rome	1700*1183 True Color 276 Kb
	Ciborium (detail) 1293 Marble Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, Rome	1133*1700 True Color 258 Kb
	Ciborium (detail) 1293 Marble Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, Rome	1700*1133 True Color 278 Kb
	Ciborium (detail) 1293 Marble Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, Rome	774*1000 Grayscale 145 Kb
	Ciborium (detail) 1293 Marble Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, Rome	734*1000 Grayscale 137 Kb
	Ciborium (detail) 1293 Marble Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, Rome	760*1000 Grayscale 152 Kb
	Ciborium (detail) 1293 Marble Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, Rome	764*1000 Grayscale 143 Kb
	Ciborium (detail) 1293 Marble Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, Rome	759*1000 Grayscale 148 Kb
	Ciborium (detail) 1293 Marble Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, Rome	760*1000 Grayscale 146 Kb
	Ciborium (detail) 1293 Marble Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, Rome	746*1000 Grayscale 133 Kb
	Ciborium (detail) 1293 Marble Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, Rome	765*1000 Grayscale 134 Kb