How Much Does a Custom Sculpture Cost in Dubai? Real Price Ranges for 2026
Updated 24 October 2026 · Husain Vajihi, founder of 1-OPH
Short answer: In Dubai, a custom sculpture usually costs around AED 15,000–50,000 for a smaller stainless steel piece of 80–140 cm, and around AED 60,000–200,000 or more for a large marble or bronze piece of 150–250 cm. Five things set the final number: material, size, complexity of form, finish and installation.
Everyone asks for a price list, and I understand why. The honest answer is that a bespoke piece cannot have one, because no two are the same. But "it depends" is not useful either. So here are the real ranges we see on projects, and exactly what pushes a number up or down.
What are typical prices for a custom sculpture in Dubai?
As a working guide from our own commissions:
- Smaller stainless steel pieces (80–140 cm): roughly AED 15,000–50,000.
- Large marble or bronze pieces (150–250 cm): roughly AED 60,000–200,000 and up.
- Monumental and public-realm pieces: quoted individually, often well into six figures, because structure, engineering and installation become a big share of the cost.
For context, a commissioned piece from us typically lands at a fraction of what a gallery would ask for a comparable original work, and it is made to fit your space.
What drives the price of a bespoke sculpture?
- Material: a Calacatta marble block, a bronze casting and a fabricated 316 steel form carry very different raw and labour costs.
- Size and weight: bigger means more material, more structure and harder handling.
- Complexity: undercuts, fine carving and detail take far more skilled hours than a clean monolith.
- Finish: a mirror polish, a specific patina or a hand-honed surface each add finishing time.
- Installation: plinths, fixings, site access and craning for heavy pieces.
Why is material the biggest lever on cost?
Marble is bought by the block, and much of it is cut away, so you partly pay for stone that becomes offcut. Bold-veined marbles cost more because sculpture-size blocks are rarer. Bronze carries foundry and casting costs. 316 stainless steel is fabricated and finished by hand. Two pieces of the same size can be priced very differently because of this alone. The material trade-offs are in marble, bronze or stainless steel for the UAE.
Does doubling the size double the price?
No, it usually more than doubles it. Volume and weight rise much faster than height. The internal structure grows, and a piece two people could carry becomes one that needs a crane and a team. I always push clients to test scale early, against the budget and against how the piece will physically get into position.
Are shipping and installation included?
In our quotes, yes, they are set out clearly as their own lines so there are no surprises later. A table-top piece is simple. A two-tonne courtyard sculpture needs access planning, lifting equipment and specialist handlers. Bespoke work is made to order, so timing is part of the picture too. See commission lead times from brief to installation.
Is bespoke worth it over buying ready-made?
For a signature spot, usually yes. A commissioned piece is made to your form, scale, material and setting, and it is one of one. For an entrance, a double-height room or a courtyard, that is the whole point. I make the full case in bespoke vs ready-made. If you need something faster, we also keep finished pieces in our Al Quoz showroom: see available now.
How do I keep a commission on budget?
- Give a working budget at the start. We design to it rather than past it.
- Keep the form clean rather than intricate where you can.
- Pick a material that suits the spot; rare stone climbs fastest.
- Right-size the piece. Too small wastes the money; too big costs more than it adds.
- Decide early. Late changes are the expensive ones.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a custom sculpture cost in Dubai?
Roughly AED 15,000–50,000 for a smaller 80–140 cm stainless steel piece and AED 60,000–200,000 or more for a large 150–250 cm marble or bronze piece. Monumental pieces are quoted individually.
What is the most affordable way to commission a sculpture?
Keep the form clean, choose a readily available material such as stainless steel, and size the piece correctly for its setting. Complexity and rare stone raise cost fastest.
Why is there no fixed price list for bespoke sculpture?
Because every piece combines material, size, complexity, finish and installation differently. An accurate figure needs a brief with dimensions and location.
Is shipping and installation included in a 1-OPH quote?
Yes. Logistics and installation are quoted alongside the piece as separate lines, so the total is clear before you commit.
What deposit is needed for a commission?
Our standard terms are a 50% advance to confirm the order and 50% before delivery.
Want a real number? Send the space, rough size and material you have in mind through our contact page, and we will come back with a range quickly. To see how it all runs from there, read how to commission a bespoke sculpture in Dubai.
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.
