87 - Florence. 20th century, Skulptur 'Il Porcellino'

Florence. 20th century, Skulptur 'Il Porcellino' 800 silver, petrified wood. Figure of a seated wild boar after Pietro Tacca on a polished petrified wood disc. Marks: Argentiere Florence, 800. Approximately 21.5 x 17 cm (boar only), stone disc diameter 34 cm. Total weight: 2,800 g. The figure of the iconic Florentine wild boar, also known as 'Il Porcellino', is modeled after the Hellenistic marble statue unearthed in Rome in the 16th century and presented to Cosimo de' Medici by Pope Pius IV in 1568. The marble statue, now in the Uffizi Gallery, is considered one of the most important rediscovered ancient statues. It is praised for its naturalistic style and has been copied by numerous renowned sculptors. A life-size bronze version was cast by Pietro Tacca (1577 - 1640) on behalf of Grand Duke Cosimo II for the 'Fontana del Porcellino' in the Mercato Nuovo in Florence, where it stood until 2004, when it was also moved to the Uffizi.