bas-relief - A French term meaning "low-raised work." This art, along with high relief, is known collectively as relief sculpture -- meant to be seen primarily from one direction -- as opposed to sculpture which is in the round or full round. (pr. bah'ruh-leef')

Examples:

Roman, Denarius, Septimius Severus (Emperor 193-211 CE), silver. See numismatics.

Sassanian Iran, Dish, Shapur II Hunting Lions, 4th century CE, silver, gilding, diameter 29.9 cm, Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia.

Michelangelo Buonarroti (Italian, 1475-1564), Madonna of the Stairs, 1489-92, marble bas-relief, 21 3/4 x 15 3/4 inches (height 55.5 cm), Casa Buonarroti, Florence. Probably the earliest of his sculptures to survive, Michelangelo conceived and executed this bas-relief when he was between fourteen and seventeen years old. Also see Renaissance.