What is "alto-rilievo"

Alto-rilievo \Al"to-ri*lie*vo\, n.; pl. Alto-rilievos. [It.] (Sculp.) High relief; sculptured work in which the figures project more than half their thickness; as, this figure is an alto-rilievo or in alto-rilievo.

Note: When the figure stands only half out, it is called mezzo-rilievo, demi-rilievo, or medium relief; when its projection is less than one half, basso-rilievo, bas-relief, or low relief.

n. High relief; sculptured work in which the figures project more than half their thickness.