Large wooden headboard/ sculpture designed by Mario Ceroli. Italy, Poltronova, 1972.

Wooden sculpture made of Russian pine with cross-cutting grain, depicting the 'Mouth of Truth'. Stamped by the artist and Poltronova.

Mario Ceroli (Italy 1938) is one of the most influential artists of the Italian post-war period. Ceroli graduated from 'Accademia delle Belle Arti' in Rome, where he studied with Leoncillo, Fazzini and Colla.  In the early stages of Ceroli's career he concentrated on ceramics and in 1958, he exhibited these works at the Premium Spoleto. During 1959 he began to experiment with new materials, particularly with raw wood, such as Russian pinewood. He used these materials to create silhouetted shapes in his furniture and objects that related simplistically to the surrounding space. Between 1967-1968, Ceroli took part in exhibitions related to the "Arte de Povera" group.

The Mouth of Truth is a marble mask in Rome, which stands against the left wall of the portico of the Santa Maria in Cosmedin church, at the Piazza della Bocca della Verità. According to enduring medieval legend, it will bite off the hand of any liar who places their hand in its mouth.