Stop for a few moments by the McLellan Galleries in Sauchiehall Street and take a look at the Bank of Scotland opposite, at number 235.

This handsome building, completed in 1931 and opened in 1932 is host to some of the finest works by the legendary sculptor, Benno Schotz.

Glasgow Times:

Just above the doorway and the bank’s coat of arms, are two attractive statues.

These sculptures were commissioned by the building designer, John Keppie, of the Glasgow practice, Keppie and Henderson.

Mr Keppie favoured the work of Dr Schotz, who has sculpted many pieces across Glasgow including at the Mercat Buildings and Kelvingrove Park.

His statues on the Bank of Scotland’s category B listed building are made of several blocks of sandstone joined together as one seamless piece.

Benno Schotz was born in Estonia and emigrated to Glasgow in 1912, which was to become his much-loved home town.

By day he worked in the drawing office at the John Brown shipyard and went to night classes in sculpting at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA).

He became a full-time sculptor in 1923 and commissions began to come in from an admirer of his style in Dundee.

As his reputation grew, he became a full-time member of the Royal Scottish Academy.

Dr Schotz was appointed head of sculpture at the GSA in 1938, a post he held until his retirement in 1961.

In 1963, he was appointed the Queen’s sculptor and in 1981, he was awarded the Freedom of the City of Glasgow.

In that year, he published his autobiography, “Bronze in my blood”. He continued working until just a few weeks before his death in 1984.

Among his works are busts of James Maxton and the entertainers Jimmy Logan and Stanley Baxter.

The female depicted above the door of the Bank of Scotland is also an entertainer.

Maisie Combes appeared in numerous productions on the chorus line at the Glasgow Empire and elsewhere in the city in the 1930s and 40s.

An accomplished dancer, she also taught deportment.

She is the sister of my grandfather and he often remarked the statue at the bank was “so real to life. She looks just like Maisie”.

You might bump into me as I pause on the corner yet again to look up at her image and smile.