Planning a commissioned sculpture
A small shelf figure needs different preparation from a relief or a large outdoor sculpture. Comparable quotes distinguish artistic development from the finished object and specify work beyond the studio. Material and installation conditions should be considered together.
Design or finished work?
First decide whether you need concept development, a new work including design, or production from an existing model. Sketches and scale models are not automatically included in every production quote. Specify intermediate deliverables and approval points.
| Project stage | What to agree |
|---|---|
| Design only | Sketches, model, dimensions and usable documents |
| New individual work | Design approval, material, production and handover |
| Existing model | Usability, adjustments and rights to the model |
| Several pieces | Distinguish identical casts from different individual works |
Describe the subject, count and dimensions
Give the exact number of objects. Within a group, each differently sized piece needs its own intended dimensions and units. Height alone is insufficient for a spreading form: width, depth, base and available space affect design and transport.
Describe figurative or abstract work, a freestanding form or a relief, using a few relevant examples. References show a direction but do not replace an agreed original design. Appearance can remain open without approximating a known count.
Choose material for the form and setting
Stone is worked, wood is carved or shaped, and metal may be cast. These methods require different models, tools and production stages. Ask for suitable alternatives if material, weight or surface treatment is still undecided.
Outdoors, location, moisture, exposure and maintenance access matter; indoors, flooring, handling and nearby walkways matter too. A material name alone does not guarantee lasting suitability. Agree the actual finish and care instructions.
Define model and production work
For casting, the model, moulding, mould production, casting, finishing work and surface treatment may be separate items. An existing model needs assessment first. Agree ownership of models and moulds and whether further casts are intended.
Changes after model approval may require more work than an early sketch correction. Keep approvals and additional requests clear and traceable. The initial discussion need not require a completed technical manufacturing drawing.
Plan the base, fixings and access
Installation means more than delivery to an address. Check the route to the final position, doors, stairs, lift, supporting surface and lifting equipment. Specialists assess actual weight and suitable anchoring; an estimate does not replace structural assessment.
For public or readily accessible locations, clarify responsibilities, usage conditions and any local checks before production. This does not imply a uniform Swiss permit requirement for every sculpture. Identify who arranges the base, foundation and installation.
Compare the complete scope
A material price or studio rate is not the total price of an artwork. Compare offers on the same design and production basis. Options, third-party work, packing, transport and installation should be visible; customer work is not automatically free.
| Cost item | Useful distinction |
|---|---|
| Development | Sketches, model and included revisions |
| Production | Material, process and surface finish |
| Site | Base, foundation, fixing and local checks |
| Handover | Packing, transport, lifting and installation |
| Aftercare | Care instructions, agreed adjustments and further casts |
Agree rights, timing and handover
Buying an object does not automatically grant unrestricted reproduction or advertising rights in its design. Explain intended use and rights to an existing model, then agree suitable permissions. Casts, published photographs and later series may need different arrangements.
Allow time for design, approval, material sourcing, production and installation. An event date is a target, not guaranteed availability. At handover, check scope, finish, position and care instructions against the agreed work.
Checklist and process
Prepare the subject or desired effect, exact count, dimensions per work, indoor or outdoor setting and requested services. State what already exists: model, sketch, base or foundation. Material choices may explicitly remain open.
Process: define the commission, agree design and material, check comparable quotes, approve the specified design, coordinate production, prepare transport and installation, and accept the work. Clarify changes before the affected production stage.
Frequently asked questions
Can I commission design only?
Yes, a design commission may cover sketches or a model. Specify deliverables and rights; production and installation are included only when expressly agreed.
Must I already know the material?
No. Subject, size and setting support initial suggestions. Have weight, finish and care assessed together instead of having to certify suitability yourself.
Is a base included?
Only when agreed. Distinguish the artistic base, supporting foundation, fixings and installation, including who designs them.
How are multiple casts priced?
Model and mould can be initial cost items, while each cast requires production and finishing. Compare the same exact count and clarify rights and mould storage.
Can a large sculpture be delivered directly?
It depends on the route, weight, access and prepared site. Clarify the path to the final position and lifting needs before delivery and installation are agreed.
May I reproduce the work for advertising?
Owning the object alone does not settle this. Explain intended publication or reproduction and agree appropriate rights with the rights holders.
