Style Empire / Ref.9398
"Mouth of Truth" fireback
Dimensions
Width: 60 cm / 23'' ⅝
Height: 60 cm / 23'' ⅝
Origin:
France, 19th century.
Status:
Good condition.
This practically square cast iron fireback bears an unusual allegorical scene. A woman dressed in a toga with a flowing stole places her hand in the mouth of a carved bust. On the base of this statue are carved the words “ Bouche de Vérité " (Mouth of Truth).
This scene refers to an ancient Roman belief: adulterous women placed their hand in this mouth, which would close and trap her hand if she was guilty. The original Mouth of truth, the “Bocca della Verita” is in Rome placed against the wall of the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin.
A version of the fireback Bouche de Véritée is in Henri Carpentier’s book on firebacks, the best reference book for French firebacks.
Recommended for you :
Dimensions:
Width: 140
Height: 108
Inner width: 103
Inner height: 89
Dimensions:
Width: 105
Height: 101
Depth: 35
Inner width: 67
Inner height: 79
Dimensions:
Width: 153
Height: 107
Depth: 41
Inner width: 111
Inner height: 81
Dimensions:
Width: 123
Height: 97
Depth: 37
Inner width: 87
Inner height: 70
Dimensions:
Width: 122
Height: 104
Depth: 39
Inner width: 77
Inner height: 86
Dimensions:
Width: 146
Height: 110
Depth: 38
Inner width: 104
Inner height: 86
Dimensions:
Width: 129
Height: 106
Depth: 39
Inner width: 87
Inner height: 85
Dimensions:
Width: 126
Height: 105
Depth: 36
Inner width: 87
Inner height: 80
Dimensions:
Width: 106
Height: 102
Depth: 30
Inner width: 68
Inner height: 83
Dimensions:
Width: 135
Height: 108
Depth: 39
Inner width: 94
Inner height: 84
Dimensions:
Width: 126
Height: 108
Depth: 37
Inner width: 80
Inner height: 82
Dimensions:
Width: 103
Height: 100
Depth: 35
Inner width: 65
Inner height: 78