Which ancient civilization first used manufacturer's seals as product branding, stamping distinctive symbols on pottery to indicate quality and origin?

Before modern retail, ancient civilizations developed sophisticated product development and branding techniques that still influence commerce today. Their innovations in product creation, packaging, and marketing laid the foundation for modern retail systems. This trivia question explores how ancient merchants differentiated their products in competitive marketplaces thousands of years ago, revealing surprising parallels to contemporary branding strategies.

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Mesopotamian craftsmen in 4000 BCE, who marked clay vessels with cylinder seals showing the workshop's reputation
Egyptian artisans in 3200 BCE, who marked luxury goods with pharaonic symbols to indicate royal approval
Chinese merchants in the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BCE), who stamped bronzeware with regional emblems
Roman producers in 200 BCE, who branded amphorae with maker's marks to track olive oil and wine distribution