Practical Answer — Sculpture Foundry Control
How to Stop a Chinese Sculpture Foundry from Making Unauthorized Editions
Edition control requires a written casting authorization plus physical, digital, inventory, and certificate controls. A number in an invoice is not enough.
By Peter Lin, Founder, China IP Gateway · August 4, 2026
In short
Define the edition size and every permitted AP, FP, replacement, sample, and archive cast; prohibit overruns, seconds, recasts, and sales; control the master, mold, 3D mesh, markings, and certificate of authenticity; require a cast ledger and approval before each production batch; and reconcile or destroy reproduction assets at the end. Confidentiality or an NNN can help, but neither replaces edition-specific manufacturing controls.
The Direct Answer
Treat each authorized casting as a controlled release. The foundry agreement should state exactly how many numbered casts, artist proofs, and foundry proofs may exist; who owns them; how replacements and rejected casts are handled; who may issue a certificate of authenticity; and what happens to the master, mold, waxes, 3D mesh, and production records after the run. Back the document with serialized records, approval gates, inventory reconciliation, access limits, and documented destruction or transfer.
Main Risks
Unauthorized editions often arise from ambiguity and retained production capacity rather than a single obvious extra order. The foundry may still hold everything needed to reproduce the work after the artist believes the edition is closed.
The edition size excludes undefined proof categories
If APs, FPs, exhibition casts, archive casts, samples, replacements, and rejects are not expressly counted, labels can be used to create extra marketable objects outside the apparent edition.
The foundry can reproduce without a new instruction
Possession of the master, mold, wax patterns, scan data, or production-ready 3D mesh can make a later recast operationally easy even when the artist has not authorized it.
Rejected or damaged casts leave through another channel
Seconds, failed patinas, incomplete casts, and replaced works may retain commercial value. If scrapping is not witnessed or documented, an item written off in the project records can still reach a dealer or online marketplace.
Certificates and markings are uncontrolled
A foundry with the artist's signature file, certificate template, stamp, edition numbering, or plaque artwork may be able to make unauthorized pieces appear credible.
Subcontractors and sister workshops keep copies
Mold makers, casting workshops, patina teams, 3D printers, and photographers may possess production assets or images even if the main foundry signs the agreement.
Recommended Protection Sequence
Edition control should begin before the first mold or production mesh is made and continue until every cast and reproduction asset is reconciled.
Define the complete authorized population
Write one schedule listing the numbered edition, APs, FPs, exhibition or archive casts, prototypes, replacements, and any casting retained for destructive testing.
- State whether each category is inside or outside the edition size.
- Identify who owns and may possess each proof.
- Prohibit any category not expressly listed.
Reserve authorization, numbering, and certificate control
Only the artist or named rights holder should authorize a batch, assign edition numbers, approve markings, and issue or release a certificate of authenticity.
- Do not give the foundry an unrestricted signature or certificate template.
- Match each certificate serial to one recorded cast.
- Define the marking and treatment of APs, FPs, replacements, and cancelled pieces.
Bind the foundry and every production recipient
Use the verified Chinese contracting entity and require approval plus matching obligations for mold shops, casting workshops, 3D vendors, patina workshops, and other subcontractors.
- Prohibit unauthorized manufacture, sale, display, gifting, and retention.
- Require a recipient and asset-disclosure log.
- Make the contracting foundry responsible for approved subcontractor compliance where appropriate.
Release production by written batch approval
Do not give a standing instruction to cast the whole edition without reporting. Use a written authorization for each batch or serial range and require production records before the next release.
- Record pour date, alloy or material, quantity, serial, weight or dimensions, and current status.
- Photograph cast markings and unique features before shipment.
- Reconcile waxes, shells, raw casts, finished pieces, rejects, and replacements.
Control defects, replacements, and scrap
A replacement should not increase the authorized population. Define when a cast is cancelled, how its number is treated, and how rejected work is rendered non-saleable or destroyed.
- Require artist approval before a replacement is produced.
- Photograph or witness the destruction of cancelled and rejected pieces.
- Keep the destruction record with the cast and certificate ledger.
Close or secure the reproduction chain
After the authorized edition, apply the agreed outcome to the master, mold, waxes, scan, 3D mesh, signature assets, plaques, certificates, and production notes.
- Return, transfer, seal, or destroy the mold and master as agreed.
- Deliver editable source files and revoke system access.
- Obtain a final inventory and deletion or destruction statement.
Practical Controls
The strongest practical record links authorization, physical production, edition number, certificate, shipment, and any destruction event for each cast.
| Asset / Issue | Written Control | Operational Control | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edition size and proofs | Fixed edition, AP and FP caps, ownership, sale and display rules, and no unlisted proof category. | One approved edition schedule and no casting without a written serial-range release. | Signed schedule and cast ledger showing every authorized object. |
| Replacements and defects | Replacement trigger, cancellation of prior object, number treatment, and mandatory destruction or permanent defacement. | Quarantine defects and obtain approval before replacement production. | Condition report, photographs, replacement authorization, and destruction record. |
| Master, mold, waxes, and mesh | Exclusive project use, custody, inspection, no recasting, and end-of-edition return, transfer, storage, or destruction. | Asset IDs, restricted access, periodic inventory, and no unapproved duplicate mold. | Asset register, location record, photographs, and final transfer or destruction certificate. |
| Markings and certificate of authenticity | Artist-controlled numbers, signatures, stamps, plaques, templates, certificate issue, and duplicate process. | Release only the data needed for the current authorized cast. | Certificate register matched to cast photographs and shipment records. |
| Foundry and subcontractor channels | No sale, gift, display, photography, portfolio use, or disclosure; approved subcontractors bound to matching restrictions. | Named recipient list and least-necessary access to each asset. | Subcontractor approvals, flow-down documents, access log, and return or deletion confirmations. |
Edition-Control Decision Table
Each event should have a pre-agreed response so that a proof, replacement, or defect does not become an informal extra edition.
| Situation | Priority | Caution |
|---|---|---|
| Artist proof requested | Check the AP cap, owner, marking, certificate, sale rights, and whether it counts inside or outside the edition. | AP should not be used as an unlimited label for additional casts. |
| Foundry asks to retain a foundry proof | Permit only if expressly agreed, capped, marked, recorded, and subject to defined display or sale restrictions. | Custom or industry practice should not replace a written FP rule. |
| Cast is damaged and must be replaced | Cancel and destroy or permanently deface the first cast, document it, then authorize the replacement and certificate treatment. | Two saleable objects should not survive under one edition number. |
| Edition is complete | Reconcile all categories and apply the agreed mold, master, mesh, certificate, and file disposition. | A closed ledger without control of reproduction assets leaves the foundry able to recast. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What should count toward a sculpture edition size?
The agreement should list the numbered edition and every other permitted object, including artist proofs, foundry proofs, exhibition or archive casts, prototypes, replacements, and destructive-test pieces. It should state which categories are inside or outside the edition and prohibit unlisted casts.
Can a foundry proof be sold?
Only under the rights holder's express terms. The agreement should define who owns the FP, whether it may be displayed or sold, how it is marked, whether it has a certificate of authenticity, and whether it is included in the edition. Silence creates avoidable risk.
How should a replacement cast be handled?
Require written approval, document why replacement is necessary, cancel the earlier certificate, and destroy or permanently deface the replaced object before or as the new one is authorized. Keep both events in the cast ledger.
Is a certificate of authenticity enough to stop unauthorized editions?
No. A certificate helps provenance and market control, but it does not physically stop recasting. It should be combined with edition terms, master and mold control, 3D mesh restrictions, serial records, batch approvals, subcontractor limits, and end-of-run disposition.
Should the mold be destroyed when the edition is complete?
Destruction is one option, not an automatic rule. The agreement may instead require return, transfer, or controlled storage for repairs. Whichever option is chosen should be documented and should cover the master, mold sections, waxes, scan data, and 3D mesh that could reproduce the work.
This page provides general practical information. The result for a particular sculpture, contributor, foundry, registration, or dispute depends on the facts, parties, documents, evidence, and applicable law.
Edition & Foundry Controls
Need an edition schedule and foundry-control structure before casting?
We can scope the authorized edition, AP and FP limits, mold and mesh controls, subcontractor path, certificate process, evidence ledger, and end-of-run obligations.
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