The sculptor who created the iconic Kelpies sculptures in Falkirk is to create another dramatic large horse - this time for the centre of Edinburgh.
The Glasgow-based sculptor Andy Scott, as part of a major new collaboration with a renowned silversmiths company, is to unveil a 14ft sculpture of a chariot horse on George Street in the centre of the capital for the Festival period.
The sculpture will be an outsized version of The Rook from a new chess set that Scott, whose Kelpies in Falkirk are now among the best known example of public art in the UK, is making with the leading silversmiths Hamilton & Inches.
Read more: Creator of The Kelpies to mount first gallery show - in New York
The new giant public art work will be made in galvanised steel and will be erected in early July outside the company's showroom and workshop.
The "chariot horse" has been designed by Scott to be "evocative of the ancient Persian definition of the piece" and is unlike many of Scott's heavy horse statues, being adorned with a feathered head dress, bridle and collar.
It will be in place in Edinburgh until the end of September.
It will sit across a series of suspended parking bays in the middle of George Street, which will be pedestrianised during the Festival in August.
2016 marks the 150th anniversary of the jewellers and silversmiths and it is engaged in a series of collaborations with Scott, including a new chess set, The Game of Kings, as well as other objects.
Together, Hamilton & Inches and Scott will create hand-sculpted chess figurines for the large chess set which the sculptor said he sees "as much a work of art as a board game."
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Each piece will be inspired by the monumental head and neck designs of The Kelpies, and will be made from sterling silver.
Andy Scott said: “There is a mutual recognition and respect between myself and Hamilton & Inches’ team of silversmith craftsmen.
"You don’t see any computers in our workshops - our work is rooted in the traditions of Scottish craft and I like that.
"The Game of Kings collaboration celebrates 150 years of Hamilton & Inches and is utterly unique in its scale compared to my Kelpies or Heavy Horse sculptures.
"I am really pleased to be creating something so intimate, and the figurative chess set pieces have a beauty and history that allows me to create truly unique sculptures to be rendered in silver."
He added that his Bishop from the set will be shown at his imminent show in New York, which opens on June 9.
Read more: Fancy exploring The Kelpies in the dark?
Of the large horse figure, he said: "It will be one of the chess pieces, but at a giant scale.
"I joked with Hamilton & Inches that the 30cm versions were really just maquettes for a huge landscape chess set with each piece at three metres and set on a landscaped setting…. then thought, why not build a piece?
"Hamilton & Inches loved the idea, and got permission from Edinburgh Council to install the sculpture temporarily on George Street for the Festival."
Stephen Paterson, chief executive of the silversmiths, said: "It promises to be a wonderfully dramatic addition to the skyline of George Street and huge visitor attraction for Edinburgh and Hamilton & Inches' unique showroom.
"Our workshops are buzzing with activity in preparation for a spectacular summer ahead as we welcome the public to enjoy our celebrations."
Scott’s work at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) Wooster St campus in Soho, New York opens on 9 June, 2016 and the exhibition will also see 12 bronzes relating to Scott’s previous projects and two large-scale steel pieces on display.
Hamilton & Inches is celebrating 150 years since Robert Kirk Inches and his Uncle James Hamilton first opened their doors on Edinburgh’s Princes Street in 1866.
Hamilton & Inches has held a Royal Warrant as silversmiths to the Queen for more than 120 years.
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