Porcelain Mark
System of signs on porcelain items for determining the manufacturer and age
Porcelain mark — a conventional 'signature' on the bottom or side of porcelain items, indicating the manufacturer, period of production, and authenticity of the piece. Often it consists of letters, numbers, coats of arms, monograms, and sometimes images of symbols or special elements. Each manufactory uses its own recognizable marks, which are sometimes deliberately complicated to avoid counterfeits (for example, Meissen with its crossed swords).
Interesting is the case of the English factory Spode, where a craftsman accidentally placed a mark upside down, which led to a curious excitement among collectors. By the marking, experienced experts and collectors can not only determine the origin of the item but also reveal details of its production, approximate dating, fashions of the era, and sometimes even the name of the decorator artist.
This explains the particular interest in marks and their deciphering in the evaluation and attribution of antique porcelain.