The Mouth of the truth

Pictoresque, handmade sculpture in terracotta, painted with engobes and accurately modelled following ancient Roman techniques. This round bas-relief is inspired by the famous sculpture placed on an external wall of St. Maria in Cosmedin, Rome.

It represents probably the sea Titan Ocean, son of Uranus (the Sky) and Gea (the Earth), father of the Rivers and of the Oceanids, among whom Methis, mother of Athena,  Styx, the great river of the underworld river, and Nike, the goddess of Victory. According to an ancient myth, Oceanus was also Chrono's and Rhea's father, parents of all Olympian gods, suggesting therefore the undeniable importance of water even for gods' creation. 

The Mouth of the Truth is one of the most visited monuments of Rome. According to a medieval legend, it will bite off the hand of any who lies while inserting it in the sculpture's hole.  

Fired at about  1000° C, this sculpture can be placed outside and won't be damaged by sun, cold or ice.