About

Originally created in 1634 by Baroque-era bronze master Pietro Tacca, Il Porcellino is an iconic bronze fountain decoration that came to life from a Hellenistic marble boar, likely a representation of the mythical Calydonian Boar. Initially meant to be placed on the fountain in Italy’s Boboli Gardens, it was installed at Mercato Nuovo instead; its hollow body allowing visitors to feed coins for good luck. Today there are dozens of replicas of the sculpture worldwide and it continues to garner attention due to people rubbing its snout; an unsuspecting act that has since resulted in a golden shimmer on the creature’s nose.