Ciborium

Vecchietta's most elaborate work in bronze is the multi-figured ciborium (transferred to the high altar of Siena Cathedral in 1506, replacing Duccio's Maestà) made for the high altar of Santa Maria della Scala, Siena. Supported on a stem embellished with putti and music-making angels, the tempietto-shaped body of the ciborium is in the form of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. It is topped by a statuette of the Risen Christ, superb in contrapposto and balancing precariously on a chalice.

A painted model for the ciborium survives (Pinacoteca Nazionale, Siena).