A Larger-than-Life Outdoor Chess Set Designed by Artist Andy Scott

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Scott’s custom equine-themed commission in dark steel

Photo by Andy Scott

Photo by Graeme Hunter

Scott’s previous works have included an indoor chess set with 14-inch-high pieces

Andy Scott’s outdoor sculptures are no garden-variety creations. The Scottish artist specializes in oversize equine statues, from an 18-foot-tall Irish cob in London to a pair of horse heads outside of Glasgow that tower more than nine stories high. For this gift (starting at about $3.5 million), Scott will draw from his 30-year career to create a larger-than-life horse-themed chess set comprising 32 of his exquisite sculptures.

A dramatic addition to any lawn, the chess set—whose pieces will each stand 8 to 12 feet tall—will be developed exclusively for the recipient of the gift. “I imagine every piece represented by a different breed,” Scott says. “Some folks may own a horse which they hold dear to them, or they may be keen to see a horse related to an equine pursuit, like a polo pony or Thoroughbred.”

The gift recipient is invited to collaborate throughout the chess set’s design, from initial sketches to construction, which will take place at the artist’s Glasgow or Philadelphia studio. Scott will compose the pieces over 18 months and, upon completion, help install the set in its chosen outdoor environment. “I am already excited to envision so many stunning equine works in a landscaped setting,” he says. “Horses have become almost an obsession for me—and I’m never happier than when I have my 5-pound hammer in my hand.”  The build time for a full chess set will be at least 18 months from the time the order is placed and will depend on the level of customization each piece requires. Delivery costs are not included in the price of the gift. (Andy Scott Sculptures, Hanneke Scott-van Wel, hanneke@scottsculptures.co.uk, scottsculptures.co.uk)