The bas relief of the investiture of Ardashir I is in remarkable condition!
Ardashir, a military genius and shrewd politican, was a military governor before defeating Ardavan V, the last Arsacid ruler at the battle of Hormuzd in 224 AD.
He was crowned in Cetesiphon and was thus the founder of the famous Sassanid dynasty which lasted over 400 years until 654 AD.

The bas relief depicts his investiture as king. He is shown on the left mounted on a horse and wearing a flowing tunic and trowsers.
The defeated Ardavan lies beneath Ardashir's horse. On his head Ardashir wears a hat and diadem, the material from which flows behind his head in waves.
On top of the hat is a large round Korymbos, the Sassanid symbol of kingship, which some have suggested represents the globe.
A senior official with a distinct insignia on his hat stands behind Ardashir with a fly whisk.

Ardashir's left hand is raised with bent forefinger symbolising veneration to the Zoroastrian God portrayed on horseback to the right.
The devil (Ahriman) is symbolically represented with snake like hair and lies defeated beneath Ahuramazda's horse.
Ahuramazda gives Ardashir the diadem ring which is the religious symbol of sovereignty.

If you look carefully on the chest of Ardashir's horse you will see a trilingual inscription in Greek, Parthian and Middle Persian.
Above it you can see lions decorating the strap around the chest of his horse. There is also an inscription of the chest of Ahurzamazda's horse which identifies him.
In his left hand Ahuramazda holds a bundle of sacred twigs (Barsom) which Zoroastrian priests user in rituals and prayer.

These photographs have been digitally enhanced for effect. The original image is also provided.