Costing and Direct Commissioning
A Transparent Approach to High Value Bronze
The Convention
In the traditional art market, the price of a bronze sculpture is often obscured by layers of commission applied to the entire value of the work, including the industrial manufacturing costs. This gross margin model frequently inflates the final price to the collector without adding value to the artwork itself. Traditionally, a bronze's retail price was determined roughly by the 33/33/33 split, in more recent years this has evolved. The foundry production equates roughly to 30%–40% of the retail price. The gallery commission ranges from 33%–50% of the retail price and the artist gets the remainder. After paying the foundry and gallery commission, the artist is frequently left with only 10%–25% to cover their studio rent, years of training and the actual art.
We Operate Differently
We have adopted a segregated costing profile. This model decouples the artist’s creative fee from the industrial manufacturing costs. This ensures that when you commission a unique work, you are paying for the artists time, talent and intellectual property, while paying a fair market rate for the physical casting, without hidden markups.
How We Structure Your Commission
Every unique commission proposal is broken down into two distinct, transparent figures.
1. The Artist Creative Fee (The Art)
This is the value of the unique design, the sculpting labour and the Intellectual Property.
Variable & flexible, this fee is assessed individually for each unique work based on complexity, scale and research required.
The commissionable base, if you are working with an interior designer, garden designer or art consultant, the proportional mark-up, is applied only to this component.
2. The Production Allowance (The Industry)
This is the pass through cost of converting the sculpture into bronze, including pattern making, moulding, casting, chasing and patination.
The Direct from Studio Advantage
To maintain the integrity and value of the work, the method of production dictates how the work is stamped (hallmarked). This provides future collectors with a permanent record of the sculpture's provenance.
We offer three tiers of fabrication, each with a distinct Stamping Profile:
Tier 1: The Studio Cast (The Premier Mark)
Pattern making, investing, casting, chasing and patination entirely in house within my own private foundry.
These works bear the stamp insigne of the foundry, alongside the artist’s signature, PU 1/1 (unique piece) signifies that this is a one of a kind work, never to be editioned and a unique authentication number.
These works represent the the most authentic, every aspect the process is supervised or undertaken by me, with specific attention on the final finishing and patination.
Tier 2: The Partner Cast
Cast by one of our trusted external fine art foundries, under my aesthetic supervision.
These works bear the artist’s signature, PU 1/1 (unique piece) signifies that this is a one of a kind work, never to be editioned, the partner foundry’s mark if applicable and a specific unique authentication number.
Tier 3: The Licensed Cast
In rare cases where a client or architect wishes to manage fabrication independently (eg, internationally), we will grant a Licence to manufacture.
These works will have an association, but do not carry our foundry mark or an authentication identification number.
While authentic designs, these works are distinguished from studio casts in the secondary market.
How to Begin
We invite private clients, landscape architects and consultants to discuss their projects directly. Because we determine the artist creative fee on a per piece basis, we can tailor a proposal that aligns with your specific site and budget requirements.
Artwork Enquiries, Sales & Public Relations
Email: jack@jackeagan.com