Is this craft sculpture signed or marked by the artist?

Oh, I’m so glad you asked about that! When you’re holding a craft sculpture, whether it’s a ceramic piece, a glass figurine, or a metal sculpture, one of the first things I’d do is gently turn it over and look at the bottom. Many artists sign their work with a hand-incised signature, a stamped mark, or even a painted monogram right on the base. For clay or ceramic sculptures, you might find a maker’s mark pressed into the clay before firing – sometimes it’s just the artist’s initials, a small symbol, or a studio stamp. Metal sculptures often have a stamped or engraved signature on the underside or along a less visible edge. Glass pieces can be tricky because artists sometimes sign with a diamond-point stylus or an etched mark; these can be very fine and hard to see in low light. If you can’t find anything on the bottom, try around the back or along the base rim. And here’s a little secret: some contemporary artists use a decal or a sticker with a hologram, though that’s less common with handcrafted work. If the piece is older, wear and tear might have faded or obscured the mark, so a magnifying glass and good lighting are your best friends. Oh, and don’t forget to check the artist’s website or catalogues if you have a hunch about who made it – sometimes the style of the mark itself can help you connect the dots. It feels like a little treasure hunt, doesn’t it? If you still can’t find anything, it doesn’t necessarily mean it isn’t authentic; some artists prefer to remain unsigned, especially in certain folk or tribal craft traditions. But when you do spot that signature, it makes the piece feel so much more personal, like a secret handshake between you and the maker.