Gift of Bronze Statue May Start New University Tradition

Suzie Stephens and Jim Hatfield have made a gift of a bronze statue to the University of Arkansas, which, after its two and a half month journey from Florence, Italy, over the summer will be installed in a fountain outside University House, 1002 Maple Street, in early 2006.

Suzie Stephens and Jim Hatfield look into a crate holding the new bronze statue, "Il Porcellino," a replica of an Italian statue depicting a boar sitting on its haunches. The statue will be installed in front of University House on Maple Avenue.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Suzie Stephens and Jim Hatfield have made a gift of a bronze statue to the University of Arkansas, which, after its two and a half month journey from Florence, Italy, over the summer will be installed in a fountain outside University House, 1002 Maple Street, in early 2006.

"Il Porcellino" is a replica of a 385-year-old bronze statue by Italian artist Pietro Tacca. The statue depicts a young wild boar sitting on its haunches. The Tacca statue was a replica of an even older Greek marble statue. The original Tacca bronze was designed as an outdoor fountain and is currently located in a market place in Florence, Italy. For centuries, tourists have rubbed the boar's snout for luck and placed coins in the pool to make wishes. Over time, the pig's snout has become shiny from all the rubbing. Porcellino means "piglet" or "young swine" in Italian. The Florence statue was cast circa 1612. The gift to the University of Arkansas was made from a cast of the original and weighs 4,000 pounds and there are approximately 11 replicas in the world today.

On a trip to Italy with her daughter and two step-daughters this past August, Stephens found herself in a square in Florence where she saw a "big Razorback in a fountain." She said: "People were putting coins into its mouth and rubbing his nose and it was the neatest thing to find this Razorback in Italy. I then located the foundry shop that was selling a replica cast from the original mold, but I had to wait three days for the shop to open so I could buy that pig. I said 'that Razorback belongs in Fayetteville.'"

"We are thrilled to welcome 'Il Porcellino' to the University of Arkansas campus," said Sandy Edwards, associate vice chancellor for university development. "Artwork that can be enjoyed by the campus community and the public is an important feature of a college campus and this bronze is a fitting addition to our collection. We're so thankful to Jim and Suzie for this unique gift and their generosity. We hope that the alumni, friends, faculty, staff, students and future students who come to our campus will stop by the University House and start a new University of Arkansas tradition of rubbing the statue's nose for luck and make a wish."

Any coins that are recovered from "wishers" who wish upon the statue will be placed in a fund for future maintenance and repair of the statue. The value of the statue is estimated to be $75,000.

"We'd like to thank Jim and Suzie for this special gift. They have been University of Arkansas supporters for many years and contributed to so many programs and projects," said G. David Gearhart, vice chancellor for University Advancement. "We recently had the privilege of inducting them into Towers of Old Main and look forward to installing their latest gift, 'Porcellino' where it will be admired for years to come. What a marvelous gift for this institution, our students, faculty and alumni and friends."

Images of "Il Porcellino" from around the world are available at these locations:

http://www.pics2go.de/displayimage.php?album=70&pos=3	http://www.alberghierosaffi.it/scuolacitta/porcellino.htm
http://www.lostluggagetales.com/photos/thumb/Sydney_023.asp	http://www.usefilm.com/image/686462.html
http://www.davidmetraux.com/images/adventure/italy/large/florence_pig.jpg

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Sandy Edwards, associate vice chancellor,University Development,
 (479) 575-7206, ske@uark.edu