How Long Does a Bespoke Sculpture Take? Timelines by Piece and Material
Updated 24 October 2026 · Husain Vajihi, founder of 1-OPH
Short answer: Most bespoke sculpture commissions take 3–6 months from first brief to installation. Smaller stainless steel pieces, wall art and planters sit at the short end, roughly 6–10 weeks after design approval. Large carved marble and cast bronze take 3–6 months of making. Monumental work and water features with services can run longer. Start 4–6 months before you need it.
This post answers one question: roughly how long will my type of piece take? If you want the stage-by-stage breakdown and what causes delays, read commission lead times from brief to installation.
How long do different pieces take?
As a working guide, from design approval to ready for installation:
- Stainless steel sculpture, wall art and planters: about 6–10 weeks for smaller and mid-sized pieces.
- Mixed-material pieces: about 6–10 weeks for smaller ones, longer as scale and detail grow.
- Large carved marble: about 3–6 months, depending on size, detail and block sourcing.
- Large cast bronze: about 3–6 months, with extra time for patina sampling.
- Water features and fire features: the material timeline plus coordination for water, gas or power.
- Monumental and public-realm work: quoted individually, often beyond 6 months.
Add 2–4 weeks before this for briefing, design and sampling, and a few days to 2 weeks after for delivery and installation.
What happens during design?
Brief, sketches, renders, sometimes a 3D printed model, and approval of form, scale, material and finish. It moves at the speed of decisions. A client who replies in a day finishes this stage in two weeks; one who waits a fortnight between rounds takes two months. It is also the cheapest place to change your mind. How to brief well is in how to brief a sculpture commission.
Why does fabrication take the longest?
Because it is real making. Marble is carved from a block that first has to be sourced and checked. Bronze goes through modelling, moulding, casting and chasing. Steel is cut, formed, welded and finished. Scale and detail drive the time more than anything. It is the stage not to rush.
Why is finishing a separate step?
Honing, polishing, patinating and final checks against the approved samples are what separate a competent piece from a considered one. We give it its own time and send you photos before anything leaves.
How long do shipping and installation take?
Crating, freight and clearance are built into the timelines above. Installation itself is usually a day or two for most pieces, longer for big pieces that need lifting equipment and access planning. Build it into your programme rather than treating it as an afterthought.
What I tell clients
- Start 4–6 months before a handover or opening.
- Steel is your friend when time is tight.
- Fast decisions shorten the timeline more than anything we do.
- Need something this month? See available now in our Al Quoz showroom.
- Budget alongside time: how much a custom sculpture costs in Dubai.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a bespoke sculpture take to make?
Most commissions take 3–6 months from brief to installation. Smaller steel pieces take about 6–10 weeks after design approval; large marble or bronze about 3–6 months.
Does marble take longer than bronze?
Both large marble and large bronze fall in a similar 3–6 month range. Size and complexity affect the time more than the material alone.
Can a commission be rushed?
Design can be faster with quick decisions, and steel is quicker than stone or bronze. Fabrication and finishing set a floor on quality, so starting early is the better answer.
What slows a commission down?
Mostly slow decisions at design and sampling stage, plus very large scale or intricate detail during fabrication.
When should I start a commission for a villa handover?
At least 4–6 months before the handover, so the piece is ready when the home is.
Working to a date? Tell us what and when on our contact page, and see how the commission process works.
1-OPH designs and delivers bespoke sculpture, water features, fireplaces, benches and planters in marble, stainless steel and bronze, for homes, hotels and developments across the UAE and GCC. Showroom in Al Quoz, Dubai.
