Triangular Plate

East India Company Triangular Plate

The East India Company Triangular Plate is a rare and historically significant artifact associated with the era of British colonial expansion in the Indian subcontinent during the 18th and 19th centuries. Plates such as these were often produced either for official use by the company’s officers and administration or as commemorative items symbolizing trade, governance, and maritime dominance.

Description and Features:

• Shape: Uncommon triangular form, possibly symbolic, denoting power, trade routes, or naval compass points.

• Material: Often crafted from fine porcelain, bone china, or silver-plated brass, depending on its intended use—ceremonial, domestic, or military.

• Design Motifs: Typically adorned with:

  • The East India Company crest – featuring a lion, crown, flags, or sailing ship.

  • Date stamps or monograms identifying the manufacturing year and location (such as Bombay, Madras, or Calcutta presidencies).

  • Decorative elements – including colonial patterns, nautical symbols, and Indo-European floral borders.

Historical Relevance:

• The plate reflects the commercial and imperial reach of the East India Company, which ruled large parts of India before the British Crown assumed control in 1858.

• It serves as a testament to the blending of British and Indian craftsmanship, often manufactured in European styles by local Indian artisans under company patronage.

• These items were used during high-level meetings, state dinners, or given as diplomatic gifts, emphasizing the company’s status and legitimacy.

Collectible Value:

• Due to its rarity and association with colonial history, the East India Company Triangular Plate is highly valued by collectors of antique colonial memorabilia and institutions preserving British-Indian heritage.

• Its provenance, condition, material, and markings significantly influence its historical and monetary worth.