Sunk relief, also known as sunken relief or intaglio, refers to a carving technique where the outlines of a design are carved into a flat surface, while the areas around the design are left untouched. This creates a three-dimensional effect, as if the design is sunk into the surface. There are several synonyms for the term sunk relief, including incised relief, cavo-rilievo, and hollow relief. These terms are often used interchangeably, but some may be more commonly used in certain cultures or time periods. Sunk relief has been used in various art forms, from ancient Egyptian reliefs to modern-day sculpture and architecture.