Qing Dynasty Diana Shipwreck Blue and White Starburst Platter

Qing Dynasty, Jiaqing Period, c. 1815–1817 AD, China

Magnificent and large blue and white porcelain charger recovered from the famed Diana shipwreck, lavishly hand-painted in a striking starburst pattern. The central medallion features a bold chrysanthemum bloom encircled by four half-blossoms alternating with pairs of abstract conch shell motifs, all framed by triple concentric rings. The rim continues the same dynamic floral theme, while the underside is elegantly decorated with four stylized floral stems within a double-line border. The design is both refined and exuberant—an exceptional synthesis of Chinese artistry and Western aesthetic influence that emerged during the height of Qing export porcelain production.

This superb example of cross-cultural craftsmanship reflects the artistic dialogue that flourished as Western traders and missionaries brought their tastes to the imperial workshops of Jingdezhen, Fujian, and Guangdong.

The Diana, a merchant ship of the English East India Company, was wrecked in the Straits of Malacca on 4 March 1817 while sailing from Canton to India. Her cargo—an estimated 24,000 pieces of fine porcelain, along with tea, silk, cotton, spices, preserved fruits, and opium—was intended for trade in Calcutta and onward to Europe. Rediscovered in 1994 by Dorian Ball of Malaysian Historical Salvors, the wreck’s cargo was subsequently conserved and auctioned by Christie’s Amsterdam in March 1995.

An exquisite relic of maritime history and Qing ceramic excellence, this Diana shipwreck platter captures the enduring allure of the China Trade and the refined artistry of the Jiaqing era.

Good condition. Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age, nicks and chip in the rim, with fritting and glazing flaws. Size approx. 26,7cm x 27,0cm x 5,5cm. 

Provenance: Finnish private collection

For a similar example see:

Dish, The British Museum, Accession number: 1995,0508.7 (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/A_1995-0508-7)