The story behind Derby Arboretum's Florentine Boar statue

Derby Arboretum is quite an impressive place, that actually holds the mantle of England’s oldest park.

It was donated to the people of Derby in 1840 by local mill owner Joseph Strutt and to this day it is a jewel in the crown of the city.

Joseph Strutt was a wealthy industrialist and philanthropist who played a significant role in the development of Derby's cultural and recreational spaces.

Read more: Your Derby Arboretum Park is home to a stunning collection of trees and as Grade II listed.

Here you will also find a curious statue of a wild boar. This statue is a replica of the original bronze sculpture, which dates back to ancient Rome and is currently housed in Florence, Italy.

The original Florentine Boar, known as the "Porcellino" in Italian, is a fountain sculpture created by Pietro Tacca in the early 17th century. It depicts a wild boar caught by a hound, captured in a dramatic moment frozen in bronze.

The statue has become an iconic symbol of Florence and is a popular tourist attraction.

The statue was brought to Derby in the mid-19th century and placed in the Arboretum on the day that it opened.

Its presence added a touch of classical elegance to the park, inviting visitors to admire its beauty and reflect on its historical significance.

However, that is not the boar that stands in the park today.

The modern statue nicknamed ‘Charlie’ by its local creator Alex Paxton, was unveiled to the public in November 2005.

According to Great British Life: “[The] original ‘Pig in the Park’ suffered countless indignities, divided opinion, and was ultimately destroyed. Now Charlie encapsulates the ‘Florentine Boar’ story for new generations.”