Marking Hong Kong’s Historical Footprints: 'Marked Porcelain'

Among the domestic products of Gangcai factories were so-called 'marked porcelain' (嘜頭瓷): pieces stamped with customised marks designed for individual clients. These Hong Kong-made wares have become, in their own way, vignettes of the city’s history.

The Chinese character '嘜' is transliteration of the English word 'mark', reflecting the cosmopolitan ethos of Hong Kong where Chinese and Western cultures intermingled. Local eateries, schools, churches, charitable organisations, societies, the police force, community groups, and even celebrities and prominent families frequently commissioned such custom porcelain. Branded porcelain served to enhance institutional image, foster collective identity, commemorate significant events, or signal status. From the perspective of local historical research, the invaluable significance of branded porcelain cannot be overlooked!