Disclaimer. Collectalia is not a legal, tax or insurance advice site. The information on this page is general and based on French legislation in force as of 09/11/2026: it may change, does not necessarily apply outside France and does not take your situation into account. Always have it checked by a notary, a lawyer, an accountant or your insurer before acting on it.
Key points
- A sculpture collection is described in three dimensions: several angles, dimensions, weight and base.
- For a numbered bronze, the number, the signature and the foundry mark are the three points to record.
- An original cast is proven by the consistency of these marks with the documents and the provenance.
Sculpture collection: what to keep track of
A sculpture raises questions that a painting does not. It is viewed from every angle, it is heavy, it is awkward to move, it often stands on a base with its own history. A bronze exists in several copies, a marble is unique, a plaster may be a studio model. For a sculpture collection, the points to track are as follows.
- The material and the technique: bronze, marble, stone, wood, terracotta, plaster, resin.
- The edition: unique piece or edition, number, artist’s proofs, founder.
- The measurements: height, width, depth, weight, with and without the base.
- The handling: original packaging, crate, transport precautions.
- The location: indoors, garden, storage, loan.
Numbered bronze, foundry mark and original cast
On a bronze, three marks are read together. The number (“3/8”) places the copy within the edition. The marks AP (EA) or HC designate artist’s proofs or copies hors commerce (not for sale). The foundry mark identifies the workshop that made the cast. Our guide artist’s proof and numbered edition details these markings.
For the tax definition of a work of art (article 98 A of Annex III to the French General Tax Code, CGI), sculpture casts are accepted up to 8 numbered copies and 4 artist’s proofs. Beyond that, the copy no longer meets this definition. The tax consequences are a matter for your adviser.
An original cast is rarely recognised by eye alone. It is demonstrated by the consistency between the marks, the certificate, the invoice and the provenance. Record them all, photograph them, and keep them with the record: see also our guide on the certificate of authenticity.
What a sculpture record contains
| Field | What it is for |
|---|---|
| Artist, title, date of creation, date of casting | Identify the work and distinguish the model from the copy. |
| Material, technique, patina | Describe the object and adapt its care. |
| Edition: number, size of the edition, AP (EA), HC | Place the copy within its edition. |
| Foundry mark, signature, inscriptions | The markers of authentication. |
| Dimensions, weight, base, number of elements | Prepare transport, installation or a loan. |
| Original packaging | Know where the crate is and in what condition. |
| Provenance, exhibitions, publications, certificate | Trace the history of the work. |
| Condition, condition reports | Track the patina, knocks, restorations. |
Value and insurance
A sculpture can be stolen, knocked over, damaged in a move. Useful evidence includes photos from several angles, close-ups of the marks, the invoice, the certificate and a recent valuation. Tell your insurer about pieces installed outdoors: they are not always covered like those indoors. Update the value at each renewal.
Succession
In an estate, works of art and collectors’ items do not fall within the 5% flat-rate allowance for furnishings: their value cannot be lower than the estimate in a theft or fire insurance policy in force at the time of death, unless proven otherwise. A precise inventory, with edition numbers and marks, avoids confusing two copies and eases the notary’s (notaire) work. For a sculptor or their rights holders, the catalogue raisonné makes it possible to follow each copy of an edition, including those that are unlocated.
Photos from your phone and sharing
Walk around the sculpture: front, sides, back, top, then the signature, the number and the mark in raking light. To show a piece to an expert or a buyer, share a selection through a password-protected link rather than the whole collection.
With Collectalia
Collectalia manages your sculpture collection online: one record per work with material, dimensions and weight, numbered edition AP/HC, signature and foundry mark, original packaging, provenance, exhibitions and certificates, photos taken from your phone by scanning a QR code, condition reports, successive valuations and location. Insurance policies with a reminder before renewal, a Succession module, catalogue raisonné and free read-only access. Free trial.
Disclaimer. Collectalia is not a legal, tax or insurance advice site. The information on this page is general and based on French legislation in force as of 09/11/2026: it may change, does not necessarily apply outside France and does not take your situation into account. Always have it checked by a notary, a lawyer, an accountant or your insurer before acting on it.