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# The East offering its riches to Britannia
- URL: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/916/
- Published: 2003-01-22T00:01:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-04-17T11:13:38.000Z
- Author: Nick Robins
- Tags: #en, #Migrated, #Import 2026-04-09 19:08, #ImagesUploaded

![the East](https://www.opendemocracy.net/content/files/2026/04/the_EAST565_r7frWbu-1776424234598.jpg)

the East

![ship detail](https://www.opendemocracy.net/content/files/2026/04/ship_x8sL3io-1776424234593.jpg)

ship detail

**"The East offering its riches to Britannia"**  
by Spiridione Roma.  
Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London  
Reproduced by permission of the [British Library](www.bl.co.uk) (Foster 245)
  
  
On the horizon in this allegorical painting, Roma depicts an East India Company ship, identifiable by its East India Company flag, the cross of St George and stripes.

![India](https://www.opendemocracy.net/content/files/2026/04/india_5AEDD7a-1776424234668.jpg)

India

In the foreground two women, each representing parts of the world 'conquered' by the Company, namely India and China, queue to offer goods to Britannia. The swarthy figure representing India presents pearls, which Britannia eagerly takes up.

![China](https://www.opendemocracy.net/content/files/2026/04/china_HnU2Baj-1776424234667.jpg)

China

China offers a Ming vase, and a teachest is at her knees. The shadowy figures behind her are bearing bundles of raw cotton.

![Britannia herself](https://www.opendemocracy.net/content/files/2026/04/britannia_Ec3Wllw-1776424234692.jpg)

Britannia herself

![Mercury](https://www.opendemocracy.net/content/files/2026/04/mercury_apXSF8n-1776424234711.jpg)

Mercury

Mercury (Roman messenger god of "eloquence, skill and thieving") stands aloft, supervising the scene.

![Thames](https://www.opendemocracy.net/content/files/2026/04/thames_vTuqUxC-1776424234723.jpg)

Thames

While Old Father Thames sits bottom left, symbolising London, and London's power.

![Britannia's escort](https://www.opendemocracy.net/content/files/2026/04/kids_85Gq5p4-1776424234782.jpg)

Britannia's escort

The putti in Britannia's escort.Back to LOOT