Custom Busts
Would you like a custom-made bust in bronze or marble from your photo? Ancient Sculpture Gallery can turn that into realty. We can create a bust of yourself, of someone you love or admire, a bust of your organization founder, or replicate an ancient bust now residing in a museum. Over the years we have crafted numerous busts of distinguished man and woman as well as famous historical figures. The few examples below of custom bronze and marble busts that we have created for our customers over the years, are testament of the quality you may expect in your own custom-made bust. If you would like to commission a custom bust to decorate your home or business, feel free to contact us. Let us know the material and size in which you would like to have your bust made and we will provide you with free personalized quote.
Custom marble bust of Benjamin Ward, New York City Police Commissioner (1984 – 1989)
Benjamin Ward was the first African-American police commissioner of New York City, who held the office from 1983-1989. The New York Police Department commissioned a white marble bust to be created in his honor and Ancient Sculpture Gallery is proud to have completed this historic artwork. Below is a picture of Benjamin Ward next to the final white marble bust sculpture. Per request, the white marble block used to create this carving has some veining.
The bust was displayed at the opening of the Benjamin Ward Memorial Library at the Police Academy in Queens, New York on November 20, 2017, in the presence of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, Police Commissioner James O’Neill, NYPD officers and city officials (source: nypdnews.com and NYPD).
The event was also featured at the Daily News with a photograph of Police Officer Khary Hoyle, grandson of Benjamin Ward, posing next to the bust of his grandfather.
Hannibal Carthaginian General (247 - 181 BC)
custom marble bust after museum original
Spectacular custom-made solid marble bust of Hannibal after his famous bust at the Bardo Museum in Tunis. To the right is picture of the museum original and to the left is our custom made bust. Hannibal (247 BC – 181 BC) was the famous Carthaginian general and statesman who commanded the forces of Carthage in their battle against the Roman Republic during the Second Punic War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest military commanders in history. Ancient Sculpture Gallery is proud to bring him back and offer this rare and unique reproduction to the modern admirer. It can be ordered in our store or by visiting this link.
Scipio Africanus Roman General (236 - 183 BC)
custom marble bust after museum original
Unique marble bust reproduction of Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus based on the famous bronze bust of him at the Naples Museum seen here to the right. While the museum original was made in bronze, our reproduction is carved from a single block of white marble per customer’s request. Scipio Africanus (236–183 BC) was a Roman general and statesman, most notable for Rome's victory against Carthage. Often regarded as one of the best military commanders and strategists of all time, his greatest military achievement was the defeat of Hannibal at the Battle of Zama in 202 BC.
J. Blair Frank equity portfolio manager Capital Group
custom bronze bust
Jonathan Blair Frank is equity portfolio manager of Capital Group and an institutional investment adviser. The Los Angeles-based financier J. Blair Frank is also a philanthropist. Ancient Sculpture Gallery is proud to have created his life-size bronze bust from pictures that were provided. He is depicted wearing shirt as requested.
Greg Maffei CEO of Liberty Media
custom bronze bust
Greg Maffei is president and chief executive officer of Liberty Media and the chairman of Live Nation Entertainment, Sirius XM and TripAdvisor. He is the chairman emeritus of Starz and Expedia, as well as the former chief financial officer of Oracle and Microsoft. Ancient culpture Gallery is proud to have created his life-size bronze bust from picture as requested.
John Adams (1735 - 1826) 2nd US President
custom marble bust after his painting
Very rare custom-made life-size bust of the Second President of the United States John Adams. We create this bust after the famous painting of him by Gilbert Stuart (c.1800-1815). The bust of the second president joins the other busts of American presidents that we have created in marble for our clients - George Washington, James Madison, and Abraham Lincoln.
James Madison (1751 - 1836) 4th US President
custom marble bust after his painting
Spectacular marble bust sculpture of James Madison based on the famous painting of him by Gilbert Stuart. James Madison is America’s fourth President (1809-1817) who made a major contribution to the ratification of the Constitution by writing The Federalist Papers, along with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay. In later years, he was referred to as the “Father of the Constitution.” The bust is available here.
Bob Mills founder of Bob Mills Furniture
custom bronze bust
In 2021 Bob Mills Furniture celebrated its 50th Anniversary. As part of the celebration ceremony the company commissioned a custom-made life-size bust to honor its founder who opened the first store in 1971. Today the company has multiple stores all over Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas. Ancient Sculpture Gallery created the bronze bust of Bob Mills after the pictures provided and he is shown wearing suit and tie.
Small 6" (15.25 cm) tall custom bronze bust of a little girl for 8th wedding anniversary
Customer desired to surprise his wife for their 8th wedding anniversary with a 6-inch tall (15.25 cm) bronze bust of their daughter. It is a truly beautiful gesture of love that we are very honored to be a part of. This head-neck-shoulders bust on a small square base is perfect size for display in a living room or office. The bust was custom sculpted from the provided photographs in the traditional lost-wax method and given the popular medium brown patina.
Agrippa (63 BC – 12 BC) Roman general and statesman
custom marble bust after museum original
Our custom bust of Agrippa is based on his surviving bust at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, seen on the right. Per customer’s request we ‘dressed’ our Agrippa with the exquisitely detailed cuirass worn by the Roman emperor Augustus. The bust was executed in veined white marble to give it ancient flavor. Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa (63 BC – 12 BC) was a Roman general, statesman, architect, and lieutenant to Augustus. He was responsible for the construction of some of the most notable buildings in history, including the Pantheon, which still stands in Rome. He is also known for his important military victory at the Battle of Actium 31 BC against Mark Antony and Cleopatra.
Frederick Douglass American social reformer and
abolitionist custom marble bust after his
photograph
This rare and unique life-size custom marble bust of Frederick Douglass, was carved after the famous photograph of him seen here. Frederick Douglass (born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey) was a 19th century American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman. After escaping from slavery in Maryland, he became a national leader of the abolitionist movement in Massachusetts and New York, becoming famous for his oratory and incisive antislavery writings. There are many photos of Douglass from his youth onward but this particular photograph of him in later life is especially moving and inspired our creation. The bust of this important American historical figure can be ordered here.
Isabella II Queen of Spain (1833-1868)
custom marble bust
This is a custom-made reproduction of the bust of Veiled Queen of Spain Isabella II in solid white marble. Isabella II (1830 – 1904), also known as La de los Tristes Destinos (She of the Sad Destinies), was Queen of Spain from 1833 until 1868. The original (pictured on the left) is housed at the Prado Museum in Madrid, Spain. We first sculpted the bust in clay and after the clay model was approved by the customer we then carved it out of solid white marble block in size 38" (96.5 cm) tall (pictured on the right).
CEO entrepreneur and Civil Engineer in Dubai
custom bronze bust from picture
This is a life-size custom bronze bust from a picture, made with the traditional lost-wax method. After the clay model was approved by the customer, a mold was made, which was used in the process of creating the bronze casting. Per customer's requirement, the detail on the tie was retained in the bronze bust. Two copies were made for the customer. The second casting is lot less than the first one as the mold is already created, thus driving the overall average cost per bust down. Higher the number of requested bronze copies, results in lower overall average price per bust.
David Spong President of Boeing Aerospace Support
custom bronze bust
Creation of a custom bronze bust begins with sculpting of the face and the base in clay. Once the clay model is approved by the customer, a mold is made which will be used to cast lost-wax bronze casting. In the example below the customer requested his custom bronze bust to be without the glasses in the photograph. This particular bronze bust is a “head-neck-base” bust, which customers typically order in sizes around 12"-15" (30-38 cm) tall. A larger life-size “head-neck-shoulders-base” bust can be around 25"-30" (63-76 cm) tall, depending on how tall the customer choses the shoulder/upper body to be.
Aby J. Rosen, New York City real estate tycoon
custom marble bust
Aby Rosen is a New York City real estate tycoon, co-founder of RFR Holding that owns 71 properties in many United States cities and in Israel. His life-size bust was created out of white marble and rests on a marble block bearing an inscription with black engraved lettering in ancient Roman font. We created the bust from pictures provided and per customer’s instructions it depicts the subject without suit. The bust is of head-neck-shoulders-base type and is 25” tall. The bust was first sculpted in clay and after customer’s approval of the model we crafted it out of white marble.
Custom-made marble busts of husband and wife with base functioning as urn
These two custom busts of a husband and wife are particularly unique and different. Their cube bases are purposely made hollow for future placement of final ashes or small contents valuable to the owners, functioning as urn. The top portion of the bust can be lifted, revealing the opening of the base below. When the contents are placed inside, the base can be closed by covering it with the bust above. We engraved the two busts with custom text as requested by the customer.
Custom marble bust from a single 18th century Oil Painting
This custom marble bust was sculpted from only one picture. The customer only had a picture of single oil painting from the 18th century. Usually, customers can provide multiple pictures when they request custom bust, however, this case was unique since there was in existence only one oil painting that the customer could provide. Nonetheless we were able to capture the likeness of the gentlemen in the painting and the result is a success.
Custom bust of grandfather in beige marble
Customer desired to create a custom bust of his grandfather and specifically requested it to be carved out of beige marble. The bust is life-size and the old man is depicted in his shirt and suspenders, just like in the provided pictures. In addition, the glasses are also retained along with the facial expression.
L. Edwin Brown, American Culinary Federation executive
director custom marble bust
L. Edwin Brown was the first executive director of the American Culinary Federation (1980-1994). His bust was carved from a single block of marble and placed on a large square marble block which was custom engraved with black lettering. We can engrave custom marble busts with customs wording and in your choice of font and color. For more on your engraving options please visit see our Custom Engraving page.
Dan Sharrers custom bronze bust with black bronze
patina
The custom bronze bust of Dan Sharrers was created from a single old photograph provided to us. The bust is life-size 25” (63.5 cm) tall in a standard “head-neck-shoulders-base” fashion. After the sculpting of the clay model a mold was made and from that mold the bronze casting were completed via the lost-wax method. Finally we gave the bust a black bronze patina, as desired by the customer.
Custom bust in white marble from old photograph of
African gentlemen
As in the previous example, we worked from a single photograph to create a marble bust of a gentleman from Africa, commissioned by his family who wanted to preserve his memory. We first sculpted the clay model and after final approval from the family we carved the marble bust from a single block of white marble.
Ben Gudelis, President for Fragrances International Inc
custom white marble bust
Ben Gudelis is Lithuanian American business entrepreneur and President for Fragrances International Inc. Sculpting of his custom bust in white marble was made from photographs. The clay model was sculpted first and after customer’s approval the white marble was completed. For more pictures showing the process of creation of his bust from start to finish please visit this link.
Wendy Rothman President of Wenroth Consulting,
custom marble bust
Wendy Rothman is President of Wenroth Consulting, Psychology at Work, business entrepreneur and organizational psychologist. Her sons honored their mother with a special present, a commissioned custom-made marble bust of her. This life-size bust is 15" (38”) tall in a “head-neck-base” version.
Athena helmeted goddess keystone in black marble
Customer requested custom keystone made in black marble, a replica of an existing one from picture. This architectural element was installed in the customer’s newly build house, along with few other custom-made marble and bronze sculptures and reliefs that the customer also ordered.
Head of Hephaestion (4th century BC) Getty Museum
custom white marble recreation
Our reproduction-restoration of the damaged head of Hephaestion from the Getty Museum was carved from a marble block and placed on square marble base. Hephaestion was the closest and most trusted general of Alexander the Great. We have restored the broken nose and all the chips on the face and hair, giving life to Hephaestion. This is how the sculpture looked like when the ancient sculptor completed it more than 2,300 years ago.
Apis and Isis double herm from Vatican Museum
custom black marble recreation
The ancient black marble double herm sculpture of Apis and Isis was found by the Jesuits under Benedict XIV in the "Canopus" of Hadrian’s Villa together with five other Egyptian statues. It is now at the Gregoriano Egizio Museum in Vatican. We sculpted a reproduction of this museum original also in black marble. Per customer’s instructions this custom-made sculpture is 15” (38 cm) tall.
Pericles and Ajax busts
reduction in bronze
The original busts Pericles and Ajax in the museums are made of marble and are life-size. These two busts of Pericles and Ajax are our reductions of the museum originals which we created in lost-wax bronze for a customer in Australia. The reproductions were first sculpted in clay in a reduced size but proportionate to the originals and later cast in bronze.
Demosthenes of Athens 4th cent. BC (Louvre Museum)
recreation of an ancient Greek bust in
marble
Customer in Brazil requested a marble reproduction of an ancient bust of the Athenian statesman Demosthenes, which is housed at the Louvre Museum in Paris. We first sculpted the bust in clay and after customer’s approval we made it in white marble in the size desired by the customer.
Custom bust in white marble from photographs
Here is another example of creating a custom bust from a photo. After the customer gave us his final approval of the clay model that we sculpted, the white marble bust was carved out a single block of marble, professionally packaged and shipped.
Custom marble bust of an American WWII veteran
This custom bust in white marble was created from a World War II photograph. The son of this American veteran ordered the bust to be 19” (48 cm) tall, roughly half the life-size. After customer’s approval of the sculpted clay model, the sculpture was carved out of single white marble block, and then shipped to the customer.
Custom bronze bust of an American WWII soldier from photographs and a custom-made solid marble pedestal
A grandson of an American soldier that fought in World War II commissioned a bronze bust of his grandfather. Customer provided multiple photographs and asked for a specific facial expression, clothing, and netted helmet to depict his ancestor. Customer also requested that the life-size bronze bust be accompanied with a custom-made marble pedestal. We suggested that our Rectangular Panel Pedestal 30" Item No. F452 be used for the design of a Custom Marble pedestal. In the end the life-size bronze bust was placed atop a 22" wide x 18" deep x 43" tall pedestal that was custom made out of single white marble block.
Your Custom Bust Options
If you are interested to have a custom made bust of yourself, someone you know, or a historical figure from the museum, send us a request and we will provide you a free quote. Let us know the specifications for your bust. We will work with you every step of the way in crafting your sculpture. Here are your options:
Material
You can choose between bronze or marble. The bronze we use is 100% real bronze and the casting process is the traditional lost-wax method, the same method used by sculptors from ancient times to today. If you prefer marble, you will have option to different marble colors. The most popular marble colors are white and black, but also available are yellow (ochre), grey, red, and green marble.Weight concerning, consider that a bronze bust is lighter than a marble one. The bronze castings are hollow (as all lost wax ancient and modern bronze sculptures are), while the marble busts are carved out of single blocks of solid marble.
Size
Life-size is most commonly requested by our customers. And here you can choose 2 life-size options:
- head-neck-base, about 15" (38cm) tall or
- head-neck-shoulders-base, about 25" (63.5 cm) tall
Time
Typically, it takes about 2-3 months for completion of your custom bust. Expediting is possible at additional cost, conditional to our current workload.
Marble Pedestal Bases
Another option we offer are our stocked and custom order marble pedestals for display of your bust. Here are some of our stocked marble pedestals for busts, which typically come in sizes 30”, 40” or 43.5” tall:
To view and order our stocked marble pedestals please click here. If you like a custom marble pedestal, please send us your size requirements and let us know the desired shape.
For more information on our custom marble sculptures please visit this link.
For more information on our custom bronze sculptures please visit this link.