Basso rilievo is an Italian term that translates to low relief in English. This is a style of sculpture where figures are carved into a flat surface in a way that retains their three-dimensional qualities, but in a reduced or shallow depth. There are various synonyms for basso rilievo such as bas-relief, low relief, cameo, and mezzo-rilievo. The term bas-relief is derived from the French phrase bas relief and is commonly used to describe this style of sculpture in the western art context. Cameo is another term for basso rilievo, particularly when it is used to carve a portrait on a gemstone. Mezzo-rilievo, on the other hand, describes sculptures that are relatively higher than basso rilievo but less prominent than high relief sculptures.