BALDACHINO, also known as a ciborium in architec ture, the canopy over an altar or tomb, supported on columns, especially when free standing and disconnected from any en closing wall. Early examples of the baldachino are found in the basilicae of Ravenna and Rome. The usual form consists of four columns supporting entablatures which carry miniature colon nades topped by a pyramidal or gabled roof. In Romanesque work arches generally replaced the entablatures, and gables fre quently topped the four sides as in San Ambrogio in Milan. Few baldachinos of the Gothic period remain, and their use, outside of Italy, seems to have been spasmodic ; there is, however, a rich Gothic example in the Ste. Chapelle at Paris (1247-1250) recon structed by Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century, which shows great richness of carving, gilding, jewelling and the use of coloured enamels. In the Renaissance the use of the baldachino became more common, probably owing to the influence of the enormous bronze baldachino which Bernini designed for the altar of St. Peter's in Rome. These late Renaissance examples make frequent use of the spiral column supporting canopies of extremely fan tastic design. See also ALTAR and CANOPY. (T. F. H.)