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Rare Diana Cargo White Glazed Teapot, 1817

A rare white glazed cylindrical teapot and cover salvaged from "The Diana", featuring a cross-laced handle with relief vine terminals and a flat cover with a raspberry finial. The teapot would have originally been decorated with overglaze enamels which have washed off following the long immersion in sea water; faint traces of the pattern are just about visible in places. The teapot measures 23.5cm from spout to handle and 14.5cm tall. There is a Christie's auction label to the base (lot number 795). There is a patch of staining near to the handle, otherwise in excellent condition considering it's age and history with no chips, cracks or restoration. Please see all photos for conformation of condition.

The Diana Cargo

''The Diana'' was owned by Palmer and Co., a powerful Calcutta ship owner, and was liscenced by the English East India Company to sail from Calcutta or Madras to Canton, carrying cotton and of course, opium, which was extremely lucrative. The ship would then return to India from China, laden with silks, tea, preserved fruits and thousands of pieces of beautiful porcelain.

Unfortunately The Diana was on one of these voyages on 4th March 1817 when she hit some rocks off the Straits of Malacca and sank. The wreck was identified and recovered in 1994 by Dorian Ball of Malaysian Historical Salvors.

Christie's auctioned the porcelain cargo in Amsterdam in March 1995.