Liturgical Ciborium A902, 350 Hosts, Silver with Gold Detail

Liturgical ciborium or breadbasket for carved hosts. Mouth measurements 17 centimeters. Height 6 centimeters. Total height 12 centimeters. Depth 14 centimeters. Maximum capacity: 350 hosts. The ciborium is the metal liturgical vessel where consecrated hosts are placed. It can also be called a "pyx," a name used to indicate any vessel for storing small objects. The first ciboria were mainly made of hard wooden boxes, but very early on this word was also used to refer to vessels made of metal, clay, ivory, or bone. During the Middle Ages, the definition "Metal Ciborium" began to be used to define the vessels intended to store consecrated hosts for Mass, the liturgical ciborium placed in the Tabernacle and covered by the conopeum. At first, on the other hand, metal ciboria served as cylindrical vessels intended to store consecrated hosts. Then, the metal ciborium became the large cup used to distribute the Eucharist, in addition to being the vessel for storing unused consecrated hosts. The metal ciborium thus acquired the shape of a large chalice, a very wide cup with a base less high than a common chalice. In addition, the ciborium is generally closed by a conical or pyramidal cover, crowned by a small cross or an image of Jesus Christ. Due to its importance, the ciborium is very often made of a precious material (gold, silver, gilded silver...) and with the interior gilded, being directly in contact with the consecrated hosts, that is, the Body of Jesus. The metal ciborium, filled with hosts, is usually kept in the church tabernacle. Only during liturgical celebrations can metal ciboria be placed on the altar, as an object of devotion. Metal ciboria, in addition to being made of precious materials, gold, silver, brass, and others, are decorated with carvings, bas-reliefs, and ornaments.