In this paper Houghton addresses two problematic Italian Renaissance sculptures whose artists are unknown, the portrait bust of a youth and that of a Roman emperor. Within the course of Houghton's investigation, one can find valuable insights into the nature of art dating by applying what is known about the development of art in the 15th century. This paper is useful to those interested in the development of the portrait bust in the early Renaissance as well as those wishing to gain an insight into the process of finding artists for unsigned work.