Medallions were a very fashionable form of ornament during the Renaissance; the most famous medallion maker was Luca Della Robbia in Florence. These are plaques, usually round, bearing figures or family symbols in relief. Sometimes they have stories or anecdotes. In the Art Deco period, these were left plain.

Round pieces of meat.

An ornamental relief uses on wall or ceilings as decoration. Often, medallions will carry information such as a building name or construction date.