Question

What is the term for a sunken decorative relief panel?

Answer 1

The term for a sunken decorative relief panel is known as 'sunken relief,' a distinctive technique used especially in Ancient Egypt for its suitability in bright sunlight, producing strong shadows for clear definition of images.

Step-by-step explanation:

The term for a sunken decorative relief panel is known as a sunken relief. This technique was commonly used in Ancient Egypt and is particularly well-suited for very bright sunlight because the carved areas are set below the surface of the surrounding stone, creating strong shadows that define the images. In sunken reliefs, the main figures adhere to a set of stylistic conventions, including composite figures where the head is shown in profile while the torso is depicted from the front.

Sunken relief can be seen in various forms of artworks, including hieroglyphs on the walls of Egyptian tombs such as the tomb of Ramses IV, and in the painted sunken relief in the Tomb of Amenherkhepshef from the New Kingdom. The distinctive technique of sunken relief carries an artistic legacy that can be identified in panels and decorative schemas across different cultures and epochs, as seen in the dado panels with Kufic inscriptions, and even in small intricate carvings like those on a purse lid from the Sutton Hoo ship burial.

Answer 2

The term for a sunken decorative relief panel is "sunken relief", an art technique used extensively in Ancient Egyptian and Islamic art that features designs carved below the surface level.

Step-by-step explanation:

The term for a sunken decorative relief panel is sunken relief. This artistic technique involves carving the image below the level of the surrounding surface so that the details of the design are lowered rather than raised. Sunken reliefs are especially prominent in Ancient Egyptian art, where they were well suited to the bright sunlight of the region. Notable examples can be seen in the decorations of tombs like that of Ramses IV, which include hieroglyphs executed in this style. The practice was not limited to Egypt, however, and can also be found in Islamic art, such as the decorative panels from Samarra, Iraq.

Sunken relief offers a distinctive visual effect as the design does not cast deep shadows, which makes it highly legible under direct lighting conditions. The technique also allows for delicate carvings that might be too fragile if done in high relief. Sunken reliefs have been documented to be used decoratively on items such as tomb walls, ivories, and even in architecture, serving both functional and aesthetic purposes.