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Equestrian Statue of the Duke of Wellington

The equestrian statue of the Duke of Wellington is a monument dedicated to Arthur Wellesley, first Duke of Wellington. It stands in front of the Royal Exchange in Glasgow, Scotland, now known as the Gallery of Modern Art. Sculpted by the Italian artist Carlo Marochetti and erected in 1844 through public subscription, the statue commemorates the successful conclusion in 1815 of the long French Revolutionary Wars and Napoleonic Wars. It is one of Glasgow’s most iconic monuments and is classified as a Category A sculpture, a designation reserved for buildings or works of national or international importance.

The Duke of Wellington equestrian statue with a traffic cone on its head, standing before a columned building with a GoMA banner.
The Duke of Wellington statue stands outside a grand building, topped with a traffic cone.
January 2008 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
Duke of Wellington bronze equestrian statue with a traffic cone on the rider’s hat, set against a grand building under a blue sky.
The Duke of Wellington statue stands outdoors with a traffic cone balanced on the rider’s hat.
September 2011 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
Duke of Wellington equestrian statue with red and white traffic cones on the rider and horse heads, in front of a columned gallery building.
The Duke of Wellington statue stands before the Gallery of Modern, with traffic cones placed on the rider and horse heads.
July 2017 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Duke of Wellington statue with two orange traffic cones on the rider’s head in front of the Modern Art building.
The Duke of Wellington statue stands outside the Modern Art building, topped here with two orange traffic cones.
August 2005 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
Bronze relief panel on the Duke of Wellington statue showing a mounted figure and soldiers in a battle scene.
Detail of the Duke of Wellington statue in Glasgow, showing a bronze relief scene with soldiers and horses.
March 2012 © · CC BY-SA 3.0

Identification

TitleEquestrian statue of the Duke of Wellington
TypeEquestrian statue
SubjectArthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
Horse depictedCopenhagen, Wellington's favorite horse
Alternative titleMonument to the Duke of Wellington

Creator

SculptorCarlo Marochetti
Sculptor nationalityItalian-born French

Historical context

FundingPublic subscription
Artist controversyThe choice of a non-British artist caused controversy among contemporaries
DonorsAbout 10,000 people
Date erected1844
CommemoratesThe successful end in 1815 of the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars
Date unveiled8 October 1844
Date proposed1840

Physical characteristics

MaterialBronze
Plinth materialScottish Peterhead granite
Bas-reliefsBronze bas-reliefs of the Battle of Assaye and the Battle of Waterloo, plus two smaller bas-reliefs showing a soldier returning from war and resuming peaceful pursuits

Appearance

Depicted attireField marshal's uniform with the insignia of his awards and honours

Location and ownership

LocationOutside the former Royal Exchange, now the Gallery of Modern Art, Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow, Scotland
CountryScotland, United Kingdom
Heritage statusCategory A listed sculpture
CityGlasgow

History and restoration

Security measuresIn 2015 Glasgow City Council tested £1.2 million high-tech CCTV software to detect people placing cones on the statue
Inauguration detailsUnveiled before around 20,000 spectators, including 200 former soldiers who had served under Wellington; attendees included General Neil Douglas and Sheriff of Lanark Archibald Alison; the ceremony featured military bands, cannon salutes, and a troop parade
Placement under statueCommemorative papers and medals sealed in crystal glass bottles
Other cone-related modificationsDuring the 2002 UEFA Champions League final the cone was replaced with a football-themed headdress bearing the Amstel logo; during the 2012 Olympics it was painted gold; in June 2010 it was replaced with a 'feel free' branded glitter cone; during the 2014 Commonwealth Games a replica statue with a cone appeared at the opening ceremony and a gold cone was then placed on the statue again; on 31 January 2020 a cone painted with the EU flag was placed on the head; during the COVID-19 pandemic a blue surgical mask was added; in March 2022 a cone in Ukrainian flag colors was attached; in June 2023 This Is Rigged placed a cone with its logo on the statue
Cone tradition startAt least since the 1980s
Council response to cone traditionIn 2005 Glasgow City Council and Strathclyde Police asked the public not to replace the cone because of minor damage to the statue and the risk of injury while attempting to place one
2013 restoration proposalGlasgow City Council proposed a £65,000 restoration project that included doubling the height of the plinth to deter vandals, but the plan was withdrawn after public opposition, including an online petition with more than 10,000 signatures
Estimated cone removal costAbout £100 per callout, potentially up to £10,000 per year

Significance

References in popular cultureFinnie, the 2026 Commonwealth Games mascot, references the statue and cone tradition with a traffic cone instead of a horn; several Boston statues were decorated with traffic cones during the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a direct reference to the Glasgow tradition; Banksy called the statue his 'favorite work of art in the UK' in June 2023
Known forThe statue is traditionally topped with a traffic cone, often described as an expression of Glaswegian humour
Cultural recognitionIncluded in Lonely Planet's 2011 list of the '10 strangest monuments on Earth'
StatusOne of Glasgow's most iconic landmarks

Other

Artist's other works mentionedQueen Victoria Statue and Prince Albert Statue at George Square