Bas relief, or bas-relief (from the Italian "basso rilievo," meaning "low relief"), is a sculptural technique where figures are raised slightly from a flat background, creating a shallow depth. This art form dates back thousands of years and has been used by many ancient civilizations, including the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans.
In ancient Egypt, bas relief was prominent in temple carvings and tombs, such as those in the Pyramids of Giza, where it depicted gods, pharaohs, and daily life. In Greece and Rome, it was widely used in architecture, often adorning temples, buildings, and monuments, such as the Parthenon in Athens.
During the Renaissance, the technique saw a revival, with artists like Donatello using it to depict biblical scenes and historical events. Over time, bas relief continued to be a prominent feature in classical architecture, sculpture, and decorative art, evolving into both an artistic and functional medium for storytelling.
Today, it remains popular in architectural decoration, monuments, and public art, as well as in modern materials like cast stone and metal.
Since architectural design decoration often focuses on wall applications, bas relief is an ideal sculptural technique for expressing art in these spaces. That's why our most popular product, our Architectural Medallion Collection, features 108 unique bas relief designs, including square and round medallions, keystones, half-rounds, and friezes. Sculpted in a variety of styles ranging from organic to geometric and everything in between, this collection offers architects, designers, contractors, and homeowners an array of design possibilities, providing endless options for creating personalized and visually striking spaces.
Custom medallions, plaques, panels, pavers, and friezes are among our most popular products, thanks to the versatility wall art applications offer. Bas relief allows users to seamlessly combine imagery, lettering, or both in a single design. Visit our Custom Elements Gallery for inspiration and see how others have leveraged our expertise to create unique, personalized pieces that elevate their projects.
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