The value of a porcelain sculpture is intricately tied to the reputation of its creator, often serving as the primary driver of market demand and pricing. Established artists with documented exhibition histories, critical acclaim, or institutional recognition typically command premium valuations—sometimes 200-500% higher than comparable works by unknown makers.

Three key mechanisms amplify this effect: First, provenance creates trust in authenticity, with sculptures traceable to renowned studios or personal collections fetching auction records. Second, stylistic recognition allows collectors to identify distinctive techniques—like the translucent glazes of Jingdezhen masters or the figurative precision of European porcelain artists. Third, market liquidity increases as dealer networks actively promote blue-chip names.

Interestingly, reputation operates on multiple tiers: living artists benefit from active career momentum (new exhibitions or publications), while historical figures gain value through scholarly reassessments or museum acquisitions. Auction data reveals that a single major museum purchase can increase an artist's market average by 30-80%.

However, reputation alone isn't absolute—condition, rarity, and cultural significance modulate its impact. A flawless Ming dynasty figurine by an anonymous artisan may surpass contemporary signed works, proving that in ceramics valuation, reputation interacts dynamically with other artistic and historical dimensions.