Painted media on paper, c.1918-23
Burnett Napier Henderson Orphoot (1880-1964)
RCAHMS: Ian G Lindsay Collection presented in 1973
Within a few yards of the busy High Street of Peebles lies the secluded courtyard of the Chambers Institute and the burgh war memorial. This commemorates all those from the district who have died on active service since the First World War of 1914-18.
The memorial is highly unusual, blending diverse architectural and artistic traditions to create a monument whose pale stonework is warmed by the use of colour.
A copper-domed classical Renaissance pavilion shelters a Celtic ring-headed cross, decorated by mosaic inlay, inspired by the medieval mosaics of the Cathedral of Monreale, Sicily. The cross is flanked by bronze plaques inscribed with the names of the dead.
These drawings, prepared by Orphoot during the development of the design, were donated to RCAHMS along with the papers of Ian G Lindsay, his later colleague and junior partner.