Those mysterious combinations of letters, numerals,
pictograms, incised marks and assorted other identifying symbols found on
pottery are called “backstamps.” Like every other specialized language, their
meaning is beyond the comprehension of a layperson. But if you’ve ever watched
a specialist on say, Antiques Roadshow divine detailed information about the
who-what-where-when of manufacture from these cryptic marks, you’ve seen how laden
with nuance they are to those in the know.
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