Are you looking for a way to support your sculpture, but don't know what type of base to choose or which professional to seek advice from?

With our expert advice, Artsper will guide you in selecting the best base!

To elegantly display your sculpture, we recommend using a base. Small or large, metal or glass, we’ll help you choose the best presentation for your sculpture.

You can even access the list of our partners, who will create custom pedestals for you at a discounted rate, negotiated by Artsper!

Choosing a base can be complicated. That’s why we’re sharing our recommendations for finding the ones best suited for your works.

How to choose the best base for my sculpture?

Bases are important for sculptures, helping us situate them in our visual field. They also allow us to define a designated space for the work. For this, one must step back, move around the piece and become familiar with its whole volume.

To define the dimensions, it’s necessary to know what type of sculpture will be placed onto the base. For height, it’s necessary to know where you will be placing it. We recommend having a base that is wider than that of your sculpture, so that it doesn't cover the entire surface of the base, leaving a few centimeters of space around the piece.

• Sculptures < 50 cm

Many small sculptures will fit on a 20x20 cm base. A small, light sculpture with a narrow base will look very elegant on a base of this size. To get the best view of the sculpture, choose a base whose height is between 110 and 120 cm.

For slightly larger sculptures, 30x30 cm is ideal because the base is wide enough to support the piece without cluttering the room in which it is located.

• Sculptures > 50 < 200 cm

If your sculpture is large and only needs a base to stand on, and not for elevation, choose a base that is wide enough to protect and support the sculpture. Choose one that is relatively close to the floor, so that you can enjoy the work at eye level.

If the sculpture is long, you can choose a base with the same dimensions (length, width) to give the illusion that it’s an extension of your work, using the height that suits you.

• Sculptures > 200 cm

For vertical sculptures, it’s preferable to opt for a base between 35 and 95 cm high, in order to not alter your ability to appreciate the work.

What you should keep in mind:

Bases with a slightly larger width than the artwork’s base are preferential, giving it space on the stand. The purpose of the base is to support the work without overshadowing it. It should enhance the work, as if it were an integral part of the sculpture.

If the work is displayed in a large room with white walls, you can create a modern and elegant atmosphere by opting for high and imposing bases. In a smaller room, you may want to use a smaller base, of about one meter high.

If your room already has furniture around one meter in height, choose other sizes for variation and to make the room more pleasant.

What type of base should I choose for my sculpture?

Bases come in different materials, such as wood, metal, iron, glass, acrylic. It is therefore necessary to determine which one is best suited for your sculpture. This will depend mainly on the room in which the work will be displayed.

If you opt for a minimalist aesthetic, use a stand to showcase your sculpture. They are a modern and understated choice, perfect for iron, bronze or steel works.

If you prefer a more rustic style, opt for natural wood bases. Slightly more imposing, they are ideal for large sculptures in marble or metal, for example.

For an ultra modern style, choose an acrylic base. This type of base is ideal for small sculptures which you can move around in order to appreciate the details of the artist’s work.