Marzocco Lion

myminifactory

Both the lion itself and the lily on the shield are iconic representations of Florence's heritage, with the red lily on white ground serving as a proud emblem of the Guelph party. The origins of the term "Marzocco" remain shrouded in mystery, but it is speculated that it originates from Mars (Marte), the ancient pagan guardian of Florence. According to legend, when the statue of Mars was washed away by the devastating flood of 1333, a lion called Martocus, or little Mars, took its place. Initially displayed on the staircase of S. Maria Novello apartments built for Pope Martin V's visit in 1419-20, the Marzocco was later removed from this position when the staircase was demolished, possibly as early as 1515. During a major restoration project at the Palazzo Vecchio in 1812, Donatello's original Marzocco was used to replace an earlier image of the same lion outside the palace. In 1885, Donatello's magnificent lion was transferred to the Museo Nazionale and replaced by a precise replica. This remarkable object is part of "Scan The World", a groundbreaking initiative launched by MyMiniFactory that aims to create a digital repository of fully printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the globe for public access. Scan The World is an open-source community effort, and anyone interested in contributing unique items can email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how they can participate. Courtesy of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.