Rachel (Gerber)
| Rachel | |
|---|---|
 The sculpture in 2008 | |
| Artist | Georgia Gerber |
| Year | 1986 |
| Type | Sculpture |
| Medium | Bronze |
| Subject | Piggy bank |
| Condition | "Well maintained" (1995) |
| Location | Seattle, Washington, United States |
Rachel, also known as Market Foundation Piggy Bank, Rachael the Pig, Rachel the Pig or Rachel the Piggy Bank,[1][2] is an outdoor bronze sculpture of a piggy bank, designed by Georgia Gerber and located at Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, in the United States. It was dedicated on August 17, 1986 and is maintained by the Pike Place Market Foundation.[1] Modeled after a pig (also named Rachel) that lived on Whidbey Island and was the 1977 Island County prize-winner, Rachel receives roughly $9,000 annually in just about every type of world currency, which is collected by the Market Foundation to fund the Market's social services.[3][4]
Description and history
The Smithsonian Institution describes Rachel as a "life-size, realistic figure" of a sow piggy bank.[1] The Pike Place Market Foundation calls it the "mascot" of Pike Place Market.[2] The bronze sculpture depicts a pig with a money slot on the top of its head and measures approximately 36 x 66 x 16 inches. Bronze foot prints are on the sidewalk leading to the pig figure. One nearby plaque reads: "Market Foundation Piggy Bank. Made possible by a gift from Fratelli's Ice Cream, August 17, 1986".[1] Another states that money deposited into the piggy bank benefits local human service organizations.[1]
The sculpture was surveyed by the Smithsonian's Save Outdoor Sculpture! program in April 1995 and was deemed "well maintained".[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Rachel, (sculpture)". Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved April 27, 2014.
- ^ a b "Rachel the Piggy Bank". Pike Place Market Foundation. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
- ^ John Livingston, "Porcine Birthdays Reminiscent of Swine Times", Pike Place Market News, March 2006, p. 12. Accessed 16 October 2008.
- ^ "Rachel", Community Resources, Pike Place Market official site. Accessed 16 October 2008.
Further reading
- Rupp, James (1992). Art in Seattle's Public Places. Seattle: University of Washington Press. p. 91.
